There were two explosions through suicide bombers last night in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
A female suicide bomber killed eight soldiers and injured three others at a checkpoint in Maiduguri, military sources said yesterday.
A fighter with a civilian defence group, Bashir Malam, said the bomber exploded the car as soldiers were checking it outside Brigadier Maimalari Barracks on bustling Baga Road during the evening rush hour.
Malam counted the bodies of eight soldiers.
In Yola, 19 people reportedly died from explosions in the town after evening prayers.
The explosion, at around 1615 GMT, struck near army barracks and followed a spate of bombings in the city by Boko Haram. The sect has killed around 80 people in the last few days.
The female bomber, who wore a veil and concealed explosives on her body, detonated the bomb beside a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city, said military sources.
A resident of Yola Salihu Aliyu, was quoted by Premium Times as saying that the blast happened in front of the Jimeta main market at about 7:45pm.
“We just finished observing the Maghrib prayer when we heard a loud blast in the direction of the market,” he said.
He said the casualty figure is likely to be high because the explosion occurred as many traders closed their shops, and started rushing home.
“You know many traders also come out of the market and display their wares outside the main market to also observe the night market,” he said. “There was even traffic gridlock in the area with many Keke Napepoperators jostling for passengers when the bomb exploded.”
One witness said at least 10 people were killed and about 30 injured. Some policemen at the scene, said up to 19 people died. They however did not want to be quoted because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
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