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Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri | Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Deadly bomb hits Maiduguri |
(about 3 hours later) | |
At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion at a market in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a medical worker has told the BBC. | At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion at a market in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a medical worker has told the BBC. |
The explosives were reportedly hidden in a vehicle carrying charcoal. | The explosives were reportedly hidden in a vehicle carrying charcoal. |
No group has said it carried out the attack but Maiduguri is the epicentre of the violent campaign waged by militant group Boko Haram. | No group has said it carried out the attack but Maiduguri is the epicentre of the violent campaign waged by militant group Boko Haram. |
Earlier, the Nigerian army said it had broken up a Boko Haram cell linked to the abduction of 200 schoolgirls. | Earlier, the Nigerian army said it had broken up a Boko Haram cell linked to the abduction of 200 schoolgirls. |
"A van loaded with charcoal and IED [improvised explosive device] exploded at Monday Market in Maiduguri this morning. The location has been cordoned," the defence headquarters said on its Twitter account. | "A van loaded with charcoal and IED [improvised explosive device] exploded at Monday Market in Maiduguri this morning. The location has been cordoned," the defence headquarters said on its Twitter account. |
The vehicle exploded into a huge fireball, AFP news agency quotes a witness as saying. | The vehicle exploded into a huge fireball, AFP news agency quotes a witness as saying. |
The BBC's Habiba Adamu in the capital, Abuja, says a medical worker has reported that in addition to the 18 killed, 55 people were wounded in the blast. | The BBC's Habiba Adamu in the capital, Abuja, says a medical worker has reported that in addition to the 18 killed, 55 people were wounded in the blast. |
"I heard a very loud explosion right from my house and rushed to the place," one resident, Babagana Hausari, told the BBC. | "I heard a very loud explosion right from my house and rushed to the place," one resident, Babagana Hausari, told the BBC. |
"When I got there I saw many people lying after they were hit by explosives," he said. | "When I got there I saw many people lying after they were hit by explosives," he said. |
A suspected suicide bomber carried out the blast, Reuters news agency reports. | A suspected suicide bomber carried out the blast, Reuters news agency reports. |
Cars and taxis, which were unloading passengers and goods, were wrecked, it says. | Cars and taxis, which were unloading passengers and goods, were wrecked, it says. |
"I saw police and troops picking out victims," said Alakija Olatunde, a student who rushed to the scene. | "I saw police and troops picking out victims," said Alakija Olatunde, a student who rushed to the scene. |
Maiduguri under siege | |
The city living in fear of Boko Haram | |
On Monday night, Nigeria's military said it had raided a Boko Haram intelligence unit thought to be linked to the abduction of the schoolgirls in April from Chibok town, also in the north-eastern Borno state. | On Monday night, Nigeria's military said it had raided a Boko Haram intelligence unit thought to be linked to the abduction of the schoolgirls in April from Chibok town, also in the north-eastern Borno state. |
The cell leader Babuji Ya'ari was arrested, a military statement said. | The cell leader Babuji Ya'ari was arrested, a military statement said. |
Mr Ya'ari had been actively involved in the seizure of the girls as well as the killing in May of a traditional leader, the emir of Gwoza, the statement added. | Mr Ya'ari had been actively involved in the seizure of the girls as well as the killing in May of a traditional leader, the emir of Gwoza, the statement added. |
Mr Ya'ari has not yet commented on the allegations. | Mr Ya'ari has not yet commented on the allegations. |
More than 2,000 people have been killed this year in attacks blamed on Boko Haram militants. | More than 2,000 people have been killed this year in attacks blamed on Boko Haram militants. |
Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |