Female Suicide Bomber Hits Damaturu Market

15 people were killed with 47 others severely injured when a female suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Devices at Damaturu Sunday market on Sunday morning. The incident took place at about 9:30am Sunday when the market was about to reach its peak. The market usually attracts many buyers and sellers as it is the only main market in the town. Unconfirmed report indicated that the explosion was caused by a suspected female suicide bomber who was between the ages of 19 or 20.

Sources said the death toll may rise following the severe injuries inflicted on the people at the scene of the incident. An eye witness who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons said, he counted 15 dead bodies at the scene while unspecified number of people were wounded before they were conveyed to hospital for treatment. Reports said that a female suicide bomber detonated the bomb at the entrance of the Damaturu market near the sugar cane sellers area.
There was no immediate claim for the attack, but the north east of the country has been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram extremists. ” A girl of around 20 blew herself up at the entrance of Sunday Market in Damaturu near sugar cane and chicken sellers”. Said Mallam Samaila Audu who witnessed the blast. The atrocity came a week after some suicide bombers including a woman attacked a police check- point near the city living three policemen dead including the suicide bombers. A police officer at the scene of the blast said he had counted “12 bodies” shortly after the attack but the toll later rose to 15.  The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Toyin Gbadegesin, who confirmed the incident, said the 47 wounded people are currently receiving treatment at the state’s specialist hospital.