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Nigeria school hit by deadly blast Nigeria school blast kills dozens, say police
(35 minutes later)
At least 13 people have been killed after an explosion ripped through a school in north-east Nigeria, as students gathered for morning assembly before classes began. A suicide bomb attack killed 47 people and injured 79 others as students gathered for Monday morning assembly at their school in north-east Nigeria, police said.
A teacher at the school, a medic and a rescue worker said the blast took place at the Government Comprehensive Senior Science secondary school in Potiskum, Yobe state. “There was an explosion detonated by a suicide bomber,” national police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said, referring to the attack in Potiskum in Yobe state.
The rescue worker said 13 bodies had been taken to hospital with more than 30 others left “with various degrees of injuries”. There was no official death toll. “We have 47 dead and 79 injured,” he added, saying that the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram were believed to be responsible.
“The students had gathered for the morning assembly when something exploded in their midst with a thunderous sound at exactly 7:50am (06.50 GMT),” added a teacher, who asked not to be identified. Soldiers who rushed to the scene were reportedly chased away by people angry at the military’s inability to halt a five-year Islamic insurgency that has killed thousands and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.
“The explosion has affected many students but I can’t say how many because we are now evacuating the victims to the hospital which is just 100 metres away,” the teacher added. About 2,000 students had gathered for Monday morning’s weekly assembly at the Government Technical Science College when the explosion blasted through the school hall, according to survivors.
A medic at Potiskum General hospital, where the victims were taken, said scores of students had been admitted. “We were waiting for the principal to address us, around 7.30am, when we heard a deafening sound and I was blown off my feet. People started screaming and running, I saw blood all over my body,” 17-year-old student Musa Ibrahim Yahaya said from hospital, where he was being treated for head wounds.
“We are still receiving casualties from the school which is a stone’s throw from here,” the medic said. “Our priority now is to save the injured, so we have not started a headcount of the victims.” Hospital workers said dozens are being treated including people with serious injuries that may need amputations.
A local resident, Adamu Alkassim, said there was confusion in and around the school. Survivors said the bomber appeared to have hidden the explosives in the type of rucksack popular with students.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Boko Haram militants are likely to be the prime suspects.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Boko Haram militants are likely to be the prime suspects.
The group, which wants to create a hardline Islamic state in northern Nigerian, has previously carried out deadly attacks on schools teaching a “western” curriculum.The group, which wants to create a hardline Islamic state in northern Nigerian, has previously carried out deadly attacks on schools teaching a “western” curriculum.
In February, gunmen killed at least 40 students after throwing explosives into the dormitory of a government boarding school in Buni Yadi, also in Yobe state.In February, gunmen killed at least 40 students after throwing explosives into the dormitory of a government boarding school in Buni Yadi, also in Yobe state.
In July last year, 42 students were killed when Boko Haram attacked dormitories in a gun and bomb attack on a government boarding school in the village of Mamudo, near Potiskum.In July last year, 42 students were killed when Boko Haram attacked dormitories in a gun and bomb attack on a government boarding school in the village of Mamudo, near Potiskum.
Boko Haram’s most high-profile attack on a school came in April, when fighters kidnapped 276 girls from the town of Chibok in Borno state, also in north-east Nigeria. More than six months later, 219 of the girls are still being held.Boko Haram’s most high-profile attack on a school came in April, when fighters kidnapped 276 girls from the town of Chibok in Borno state, also in north-east Nigeria. More than six months later, 219 of the girls are still being held.
Potiskum, the commercial hub of Yobe state, has been targeted repeatedly by attacks blamed on Boko Haram. Last week, at least 15 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack targeting a Shia religious ceremony in the city.Potiskum, the commercial hub of Yobe state, has been targeted repeatedly by attacks blamed on Boko Haram. Last week, at least 15 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack targeting a Shia religious ceremony in the city.
Yobe is one of three north-eastern states that has been under a state of emergency since May last year to try to quell the bloody insurgency.Yobe is one of three north-eastern states that has been under a state of emergency since May last year to try to quell the bloody insurgency.
But violence has continued and Boko Haram has seized at least two dozen towns and villages in recent months, raising doubts about the government’s ability to control the region.But violence has continued and Boko Haram has seized at least two dozen towns and villages in recent months, raising doubts about the government’s ability to control the region.