50 die in bomb explosions in Damaturu – Army

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of 50 persons in two separate bomb explosions in Damaturu, Yobe, on Friday morning. A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Acting-Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said that the explosions occurred at screening areas of the Eid prayer ground. According him, many other persons are injured in the explosions suspected to have been masterminded by insurgents.
“This is to confirm that there were two suicide bomb explosions today at about 7:40 a.m. in Damaturu, Yobe, in which two female suicide bombers — one elderly woman and a ten year-old girl –detonated the devices. “It occurred at screening areas for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at Phase1, in front of former state secretariat, Damaturu,’’ he said. He said that 43 persons died in the first explosion while seven people died in the second explosion. The spokesman however assured the public that the relevant authorities had brought the situation under control. He reiterated that no amount of terrorist act would deter the Nigerian Army’s resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency. Usman said both Gov. Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had called on the residents of the area to stay calm and be security conscious.(NAN).