Nigeria: 56 dead in twin suicide bombings in Madagali
Two schoolgirls detonated their vests at opposite ends of a market, injuring at least 33 civilians.
At least 56 civilians were killed on Friday after two suicide bombers detonated explosives in Nigeria’s northeastern Madagali town, a spokesperson for the Army said. The militants were both schoolgirls, Al Jazeera reported. “We have 45 dead and 33 injured in the twin suicide bomb explosions in Madagali,” said Sa’ad Bello of the National Emergency Management Agency in Adamawa state.
An eyewitness said the explosions took place simultaneously at opposite ends of a grains and vegetable market. Yusuf Muhammad, the chairman of the local government, said, “The two bombers, who were disguised as customers, detonated their suicide belts at the section of the market selling grains and second-hand clothing.”
While no outfit has claimed responsibility for the blasts, there were indications that they were carried out by extremist group Boko Horam, which lost control of Madagali in 2015. The town has been the target of suicide bombings a number of times in the recent past. In June, 18 people had died after Boko Haram militants opened fire on mourners at a funeral in Madagali.