31 killed, 48 injured in Borno village bomb blasts

At least 31 persons were killed and about 48 others injured after suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers on Saturday attacked Abachari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state, residents and witnesses have said.
The suicide bombers, said to be six by the army, reportedly targeted people returning home after a Sallah fair in Damboa.
According to the police, only 20 persons were killed, while 48 others were injured.
Chairperson of SEMA in Borno, Yabawa Kolo, said the agency had deployed its personnel to evacuate wounded persons to the hospital for quick medical attention.
“Our team has been deployed to render life saving support to the victims of the blast.
As you can see, they have been tirelessly working with ICRC since morning to evacuate the injured from the airport to the hospital.
We are all saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred in Damboa,” she said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, told journalists in Maiduguri that the explosion occurred at Abachari town, in Damboa local government area, on Saturday evening.
“At about quarter to nine, yesterday (Saturday) night, a loud explosion was heard at Abachari village, along Damboa/Chibok road.
The DPO mobilised our men from the SARS and the Civilian-JTF to the scene and found 20 people dead and 48 others injured.
“Some of the bodies were found shattered, indicating that the explosion came from an explosive device,” he said.
An official of the Civillian-JTF told journalists that “the total number of persons that died is 31, if we must say the truth.” “But it is now difficult for one to come out and contradict what the police is saying that only 20 people died.
If you want to know the truth, you can go to Damboa and find out the number of persons that have been buried today – it is not less than 31,” he said.
Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said the killings were caused by suicide attacks and not military artillery.
“There was nothing like an attack from the military artillery.
You can see the pictures of six female bombers who detonated their explosives and as a result, 20 persons were killed while others were injured,” he said.
Nicholas urged people to disregard the claim that the victims were killed by the military and not by suicide bombers.
Reacting, the District Head of Damboa, Modu-Zannah Maina, who described the incident as “shocking and disturbing,” said the attack was perpetrated by female suicide bombers.
He lamented that a lot of people that were affected were mostly children adding that many victims were injured.
“We are here in this hospital to check our people affected by Saturday’s bomb blasts.
So far, the victims have been responding to treatment,” he said.
Blueprint recalls that the state government had, on Thursday, last week, announced a half-day vehicular curfew – from 6 p.m.
to 12 noon on Friday – to prevent Boko Haram attacks.
The curfew restricted Islamic worshipers to pray at Eid prayer grounds near their homes.

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