Yobe Attack: Boko Haram Suicide Bomber Strikes Potiskum
Explosion killed and injured many believers in Potiskum, Yobe State, on November 3, 2014, Monday, as Shia Muslims of the area celebrated the Day of Ashura, The Nation reports.
According to an eyewitness, this was a suicide bomb attack that targeted the members of the Shia group, the Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria.
The suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in the crowd of people, killing many on the spot at about 11:15. Women and children were among the deceased.
The terrorist attack happened at Faydia Islamic school. This institution is located near the old market and is run by a Shiite.
The Shiites were gathering for a procession to mark the Day of Ashura when the suicide bomber approached and blew himself up.
Adamu Mohammed, a resident of Potiskum, confirmed the development to The PremiumTimes in a telephone conversation. He put the number of victims to nearly 20 persons dead and dozens of injured.
“My sister lost three of her sons in the blast,” the man said in despair.
The State Commissioner of Police, Markus Danladi, confirmed to ChannelsTV that three members of the Shi'a group, plus the bomber died on the spot, while five persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the explosion.
However, the leader of the Islamic Brotherhood in Potiskum, Mustapha Lawan, said 13 members of the group were killed by the blast, but as the evacuation of the bodies continued, the death toll had risen to 26.
He emphasised that the bomber took advantage of the procession to carry out his dastardly act, so the figure above is expected to rise.
The Governor of Yobe state, Ibrahim Gaidam, condemned the attack, described it as barbaric, unwarranted and heinous.
The governor expressed deep disappointment that the terrorists stroke at a time when peace was generally returning to the state.
Gaidam urged the people of Yobe to remain calm, vigilant and prayerful. He directed the local hospitals to provide free medical treatment to all the victims of the blast.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram Insurgents Kill Christians In Adamawa
Today is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. This day is celebrated by both Sunni Muslims and Shi'a Muslims.
Shiites commemorate the day to mourn the death of Hasain Bn Ali, the grand son of Prophet Mohammed who was reportedly killed on that day.
It would be noted that Yobe, as well as the neighbouring Borno and Adamawa states remain under the state of emergency rule since May 2013 due to Boko Haram activities.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Military Arrest 57 Boko Haram Suspects in Yobe
Potiskum is the second largest town in Yobe, after Damaturu, the state's capital. The area lived in relative peace in the last few months. However, Monday's attack reminds that the Boko Haram insurgency remains undefeated and expands in the North East.
Source: Legit.ng
