Multiple bomb blasts claim 33 in Maiduguri

THREE bombings rocked separate targets in northeast Nigeria’s largest city of Maiduguri on Saturday, killing at least 33 people, witnesses and a local official told AFP, in violence blamed on Boko Haram.

The first attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber at the Baga fish market at roughly 11:20 am (1020 GMT), said Abubakar Gamandi, the head of the fisherman’s union in Borno State, of which Maiduguri is the capital. 

“A female suicide bomber exploded as soon as she stepped out of a motorised rickshaw,” said Gamandi, who was at the scene. “Eighteen people were killed.”

That account was supported by a nurse at the Maiduguri General Hospital, where many of the victims were taken. 

About an hour later a bomb blast hit the popular Monday Market, killing another 15 people, according to Gamandi and the nurse, who requested anonymity. 

It was not immediately clear whether the second attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.

“For now, we have at least 33 dead bodies from the two incidents…the toll may change because we are expecting more casualties,” said Gamandi.

The first two attacks were confirmed by Borno’s Justice Commissioner Kaka Shehu, but he declined to provide casualties figures until rescue workers had completed their searches.

Shortly after 1:00 pm Shehu phoned AFP in Maiduguri to confirm a third bombing at the busy Borno Express bus terminal, but details, including on casualties, were not immediately available. 

“We condemn these acts in their entirety and we extend our condolences to the victims,” Shehu said. 

“The terrorists are angry with the way they were sacked from towns and villages and are now venting their anger,” he added.

Shehu was referring to an ongoing offensive against Boko Haram in Borno state being waged by Nigeria and Chad, with support from Cameroon and Niger.

The four-nation offensive has claimed major successes over the insurgents since the start of last month, and analysts have said that Boko Haram would likely step up bombings on civilian targets in response.