Two female suicide bombers detonated bombs at a screening area for Eid prayers in Damaturu early Friday morning, killing at least 50 people, the army has confirmed.
The army places the time of the explosion at 7.40am, just as eid prayers got underway to mark the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.
Spokesman of the Nigeria army Colonel Sani Usman said the two women, an 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.”
At least “43 people died in the first explosion and several people were injured,” said Usman.
Seven more were killed in the second explosion.
“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,” Usman added.
Usman noted that no amount of terrorist act would deter resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency.
Update:
Since this story was published, the army has reversed the number of dead to 11.
The blast death toll includes nine people and the two suicide bombers.
At least 18 others were injured in the twin blasts, the army said.
It admitted the numbers were mixed up due to typographical error.
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