Blast kills many people in Maiduguri market

A heavy explosion of a bomb concealed in charcoal loaded in a rickety pickup van this morning killed many people at the Maiduguri Monday Market. Witnesses said dozens of people were decapitated by the bomb which also destroyed shops, vehicles and tricycles. “The incident happened around 7.50am and most of the victims are old women […]

A heavy explosion of a bomb concealed in charcoal loaded in a rickety pickup van this morning killed many people at the Maiduguri Monday Market.

Witnesses said dozens of people were decapitated by the bomb which also destroyed shops, vehicles and tricycles.

“The incident happened around 7.50am and most of the victims are old women that sell colanuts and groundnut. Petty traders that went to the market early were also killed,” one of the witnesses said.

Our correspondent who visited the scene around 9.15am reports that there was colossal loss at the frontage of the market.

Observers believe the damage would have been worst if not for the Ramadan fasting which delays people from going out early.

Hundreds of youth have taken over the place after fire fighting men put off the flames.

Bodies of those killed have been taken to hospitals by officials of NEMA and other humanitarian agencies.

A top security source in Maiduguri confirmed the incident.
Details later.