Multiple explosions hit Maiduguri; ...scores dead

Scores dead on Saturday in Maiduguri following multiple explosions which rocked the troubled Nigerian northeast capital of Borno state, residence and a security source said.

The first blast which occurred near a local market along Baga road around 12:00 noon is said to claimed some lives at the scene before the second which happened at the popular Monday market at about 12:05 noon local time.

Witnesses said the blast occurred close to the scene of the last November 2014 blast which killed scores of people at the scene.

A resident told Channels television that “A tricycle was about to enter the popular Baga market at about 12 noon and speedily the blast occurred from the tricycle.

“The exploded scene was crowded as there were many merchants there and many people may have died in the explosion” he said.

Residents said they heard another heavy sound within the metropolis at about 12:32 noon but the location and casualty details is not yet known.

A security source confirmed that the heavy sound was from another explosion but could not provide details to Channels Television.

A hospital source at the specialists’ hospital in Maiduguri said eight corpses have been brought from the Baga blast so far and over a dozen more were injured in the attack pointing out that “rescuers are still involved at the scene”.

Credit: Channels