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Nigeria mosque hit by Maiduguri suicide bombers | Nigeria mosque hit by Maiduguri suicide bombers |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two female suicide bombers have attacked a mosque in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing 22 worshippers, the army says. | |
The first bomber struck inside the mosque, while the second blew herself up outside as survivors tried to flee, eye witnesses told the BBC. | The first bomber struck inside the mosque, while the second blew herself up outside as survivors tried to flee, eye witnesses told the BBC. |
Eighteen other people were wounded in the attack, the army added. | |
Maiduguri is the birthplace of Islamist group Boko Haram's insurgency which has killed 20,000 people since 2009. | |
"We were just a few metres away from the mosque when a loud bang erupted and all we could see was dark smoke and bodies littered around,'' another witness told Associated Press news agency. | "We were just a few metres away from the mosque when a loud bang erupted and all we could see was dark smoke and bodies littered around,'' another witness told Associated Press news agency. |
The attack took place a few minutes after worshippers started an early morning prayer, the chief imam of Umarari mosque on the outskirts of the city told the BBC Hausa service. | The attack took place a few minutes after worshippers started an early morning prayer, the chief imam of Umarari mosque on the outskirts of the city told the BBC Hausa service. |
"My hearing was affected by the blast. I can't hear well at the moment," he added. | |
A statement from Nigeria's army says all the wounded have been taken to a hospital in a nearby town. | |
Last year, a regional military offensive helped drive out Boko Haram from most of the areas it had seized in north-eastern Nigeria. | |
However, the group, which is linked to the so-called Islamic State, has continued to carry out suicide attacks in northern Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon. | |
Boko Haram at a glance: | Boko Haram at a glance: |
Surviving Boko Haram | Surviving Boko Haram |
On patrol with the army hunting Boko Haram | |
Using football to tackle Boko Haram | Using football to tackle Boko Haram |