Two suicide bombers struck a mosque in Molai-Umarari village, behind the Molai Hospital, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital on Wednesday morning killing 22 persons and injured 11 others.
The attack took place at 5am during the Muslim early morning prayers.
Umarari is about 5km south of Maiduguri, the northeast Nigeria city where Boko Haram insurgency birthed.
The spokesperson for the Army, Sani Usman, a Colonel, said in a statement that the first attack targeted a mosque while the second occurred about 50 metres away, and few minutes later.
“This is to confirm that there were twin person-borne improvised explosive attack carried out by two female carriers in Ummarari village near Molai, outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, this morning,” the statement said.
“Sadly, 22 people were killed and 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries. Troops, security agents and care givers have been mobilized to scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.
“The troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues.
“While we commiserate with the families of the victims of this dastardly act, we wish to reassure the public that we would continue to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding.
“We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.
“Meanwhile, we implore the members of the public to be more security conscious, cooperate with the troops and security agencies. They should also please report any suspicious persons, objects or happenings to troops or security agencies at all times,” the statement said.
The blast is the first to be recorded in Borno state since the last that killed about 50 persons at an IDP camp in Dikwa, a town 85km away from Maiduguri.
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