BREAKING NEWS: Bomb explosion in Maiduguri

Many people are feared dead when a heavy bomb exploded in Maiduguri around 1.30pm today.Witnesses said the bomb was planted at the GSM Village, popularly known as Kasuwan Jagwal around the post office area. The market is a rallying point for hundreds of youth who sell mobile phone accessories and repair handsets.Abdul Mudallabi, a native […]

Many people are feared dead when a heavy bomb exploded in Maiduguri around 1.30pm today.Witnesses said the bomb was planted at the GSM Village, popularly known as Kasuwan Jagwal around the post office area.

The market is a rallying point for hundreds of youth who sell mobile phone accessories and repair handsets.
Abdul Mudallabi, a native of Jigawa State who sells sugarcane in Maiduguri said he narrowly escaped death.
“I was at the Jagwal pushing my wheel barrow loaded with sugarcane when I heard a thunderous bang that rattled me. A shrapnel hit my hand and i lay flat on the ground. I saw many bodies on the ground, some lifeless and some wailing.
“When the dust that enveloped the place cleared, I fled the scene even though blood was gushing out from the injury I sustained. I thank Allah for sparing my life,” Abdul Mudallabi, who was seen around the State Specialist Hospital,said.
Rebecca John who deals in GSM kits said the market was filled to capacity when the bomb exploded.
“I escaped unhurt but my boss was hit at the head, we ve taken him to hospital,” she said.
She said many shops and tents have been destroyed by the blast which many residents said they heard the sound from about four kilometres away.
The scene of the blast has been cordoned off by heavily armed military operatives while rescue workers are seen from afar trying to assist.
There is no comment from the military.
Our correspondent reports that this is the first blast inside Maiduguri town since the middle of last year.