Pandemonium broke out yesterday when two suicide bombers – an elderly woman and a 10-year-old girl reportedly detonated explosive devices at separate screening venues for Muslims preparing for the Eid-el-Fitr prayers, which resulted in the death of nine persons while 18 others were injured.
The bomb explosions, however, came on a day President Muhammadu Buhari asked for understanding and patience from Nigerians, saying his perceived slow pace so far should not be mistaken for lack of vision to reposition Nigeria. Confirming the incident, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement confirmed the death of nine persons in Damaturu, Yobe State.
He said the bomb explosions, which happened about 7.40am yesterday, occurred separately at Layin Gwange and Phase One (near the old secretariat).While four persons died in the first explosion, which injured seven, five others lost their lives in the second explosion, which also left 11 persons with varying degrees of injuries. Usman, however, assured that the situation has since been brought under control, as troops and security agencies responded swiftly. The Army also vowed to remain resolute in its determination to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency from the North-East.
The statement entitled: “Explosion at screening area for Eid prayer in Damaturu,” reads: “This is to confirm that there were two suicide bomb explosions (Friday) about 7.40am in Damaturu, Yobe State, in which two female suicide bombers; one elderly woman and a 10-year-old girl detonated devices at screening areas for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at “Phase One”, (in front of former state secretariat), Damaturu.“Four persons died in the first explosion and seven people injured.
While five people lost their lives in the second explosion and 11 wounded. “Troops and security agencies responded immediately. The situation is under control. Both Yobe State governor and the Chief of Army Staff sympathise with and urged the people to stay calm and be security conscious. No amount of terrorist act would deter our resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency.”
An eyewitness claimed that about 15 bodies were evacuated from the scene of the blast. The witness said, “Let me tell you that, it was very sad on this very important day of Eid-el-Fitr prayer that innocent people were killed. We have evacuated 15 bodies from the scene and several others also sustained injuries.”
Another eye witness confirmed to our correspondent that a female suicide bomber got into the prayer ground, while many Muslims worshippers had gathered to perform Eid-el- FIT prayer. He said, “Two female suicide bombers detonated the bombs strapped on them a few meters apart.”
Another source, Mallam Kyari Babagana, said the two female suicide bomber walked into the prayer ground, detonated thebombs, killing themselves and dozens of people and wounding others. “As I am speaking with you, we are evacuating the bodies while those injured have being moved to the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital Damaturu in Yobe for treatment.”
Shortly after the bomb explosions, the Emir of Fika and Chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Muhammadu Ibn Muhammed Idrissa, had condemned the attacks on worshippers in Damaturu. He described the attacks as barbaric and wicked.
Equally, President Buhari in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Nigerians said he had been planning meticulously to ensure that it was not business as usual again in the country. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the President said: “Although we have come to the end of this year’s month of Ramadan, I believe that a greater acceptance by Nigerians of its key lessons of self-denial and sacrifice will serve our dear country well as we strive to overcome our present challenges, undo the damage done by years of bad governance and accelerate the pace of national development.
“Reviewing our dire circumstances and the many missed opportunities of the past, some commentators and observers have said that this is Nigeria’s last chance to get its act together and finally begin to fulfill its God given potential for greatness. “While not going that far, I certainly believe that now, more than ever before, our country needs greater self-denial, sacrifice and patriotism from all of its citizens, if we are to quickly recover from our numerous problems and start moving in a positive direction.” Meanwhile, the Chief of Army staff (COAS), Major General Tukur Buratai, has described the two female suicide bomber attacks on worshippers, as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
Buratai, who said this when he visited the scene of the bomb blasts, condoled with the families of the victims who lost their lives during the incidents and prayed for the repose of their souls. According to him, the Federal Government and the military will do everything possible to bring and expose those behind the killing of innocent people across the country.
He added that, “The effect of insurgency will be over soon or later. Almighty Allah would expose those behind the attacks.” The army chief visited the 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Damaturu, Yobe State, a day before the attacks occurred.
No comments:
Post a Comment