15 Killed, 53 Injured in Suicide Attacks on Borno Market

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Fifteen persons were on Saturday killed and 53 others injured in twin suicide bomb attacks on Biu market.

Biu is the major town in the south of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. The state is famed for the birth of Boko Haram, one of the worst terrorist groups on the globe.

Though claim has not been made as to who was responsible for the bomb incident, one of the worst in that part of the state, but it has the signature of Boko Haram written all over it.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the Borno Police Command, Victor Isuku, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, two female suicide attackers strapped with explosive devices launched the attack on the main market in the town, the third largest in Borno State, birthplace of Boko Haram.

The statement read: “Today 2/2/2017 at about 11.40hrs, two female suicide bombers infiltrated and gained entry into Biu town in Biu local government area.

“One of the bombers detonated IED strapped on her body within Biu Main market, while the other one detonated outside the market square. So far, a total of 13 persons excluding the two suicide bombers, have been confirmed killed in the two explosions, while 53 others sustained various degrees of injuries.”

He said. “Police patrols/EOD teams led by the Acting Area Commander Biu were promptly mobilised and dispatched to the scene.”

He also said: “The corpses and the injured persons have been evacuated to the General Hospital Biu.” He assured that normalcy has been restored and the area rendered safe.