Boko Haram kills 13, injures 35 in Yobe

Emotion was high yesterday in Po­tiskum town, Yobe State as res­idents besieged the two mosques where suspected Boko Haram insurgents detonated explosive de­vices on Tuesday night, which killed no fewer than 13 worshippers.

Residents said a sus­pected Boko Haram sui­cide bomber had targeted Muslim faithful observ­ing their sunset prayers (Magrib) at Alkali Kalli Mosque, adjacent the Emir of Fika Palace in the town at about 7.30 p.m. on Tues­day..

“We just heard the loud sound of the blast and there was confusion ev­erywhere,” Abu Lawan, a resident, told Daily Sun on phone

Few minutes later, an­other bomb went off at Sakafa Mosque near the Potiskum Central Mar­ket, leaving splashes of blood everywhere, another resident,who did not want his name in print, said. He said 12 worshippers and the suicide bomb died, adding that many people were injured.

Hospital sources also confirmed 13 dead bod­ies and 35 injured persons were brought to the Potis­kum General Hospital late Tuesday night. They also said some of the injured persons might be trans­ferred to Federal Medi­cal Centre at Nguru in the state or Azare in neigh­bouring Bauchi State.

Sources said some of the residents that besieged the scenes of the blast yes­terday burst into tears as many expressed concern over attacks on worship­pers at religious centres, saying the development was an ungodly act.

A source at the area also confirmed that the Emir of Fika and Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Mohammadu Ibn Mohammadu Idris, had visited the scenes of the two blasts. He was said to have condemned the at­tacks, describing them as callous and inhuman.

A palace source said the first-class traditional ruler also appealed to the people to be vigilant at all times.