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Double Suicide Blasts Kill Dozens in Nigeria Two Suicide Bombers Kill Dozens in Nigeria
(about 4 hours later)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Two suicide bombers, at least one of them a woman, blew themselves up on Tuesday at a crowded market in this northeast Nigerian city, killing dozens of shoppers and merchants including some who witnesses said were decapitated by the explosions. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Two suicide bombers, at least one of them a woman, blew themselves up on Tuesday at a crowded market in this northeast Nigerian city, killing dozens of shoppers and merchants, including some who witnesses said were decapitated by the explosions.
Suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group that was once headquartered here and has increasingly used female suicide bombers in recent months. Whether they are volunteers or are coerced is unclear.Suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent group that was once headquartered here and has increasingly used female suicide bombers in recent months. Whether they are volunteers or are coerced is unclear.
It was the first time in more than four months that Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, had been assaulted by suicide attackers. They targeted the same location, known as Monday Market, that was ravaged by a suspected Boko Haram member in a car bombing in July. It was the first time in more than four months that Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, had been assaulted by suicide attackers. They targeted the same location, known as Monday Market, that was ravaged by a suspected member of Boko Haram in a car bombing in July.
“It is a serious crime against humanity being perpetrated by few extremists under the guise of religion,” said Kashim Shettima, the Borno governor, who visited some of the wounded victims of the double bombing hours later at State Specialists Hospital. “It is a serious crime against humanity being perpetrated by few extremists under the guise of religion,” said Kashim Shettima, the Borno governor, who visited some of the wounded victims at State Specialists Hospital.
Dr. Salisu Kwaya Bura, the chief medical director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, told reporters that at least 24 bodies had been pulled from the wreckage, and that at least 54 people had been wounded. Dr. Salisu Kwaya Bura, the chief medical director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, told reporters that at least 24 bodies had been pulled from the wreckage and that at least 54 people had been wounded. Some Nigerian news accounts said that as many as 60 people may have been killed.
Some Nigerian news accounts said that as many as 60 people may have been killed.
Witnesses said heads and other body parts were strewn about, making a precise tally difficult. They said the victims included shoppers, grocery sellers, wheelbarrow pushers and beggars.Witnesses said heads and other body parts were strewn about, making a precise tally difficult. They said the victims included shoppers, grocery sellers, wheelbarrow pushers and beggars.
There were conflicting accounts about whether one or both of the bombers were women. But a number of witnesses said they saw two females. There were conflicting accounts about whether one or both of the bombers were women. But a number of witnesses said they had seen two women.
Veronica Samuel, a Monday Market merchant, said the first bomber, whom she described as a woman in her 20s feigning mental illness, detonated explosives strapped to her back at about 11 a.m., killing four others. That blast attracted a crowd, which was then targeted by the second bomber 10 minutes later. Veronica Samuel, a merchant, said the first bomber, whom she described as a woman in her 20s feigning mental illness, had detonated explosives strapped to her back at about 11 a.m., killing four others. That blast attracted a crowd, which was targeted by the second bomber 10 minutes later.
Ahmadu Musa, a bystander who witnessed the second blast, said it “went off when sympathizers gathered to assist those that were caught in the first one.”Ahmadu Musa, a bystander who witnessed the second blast, said it “went off when sympathizers gathered to assist those that were caught in the first one.”
Routed from their Maiduguri headquarters by Nigerian forces in bloody fighting five years ago, Boko Haram rebels have violently exerted control of other territories in the restive northeast, which remains under a state of emergency. Routed from their Maiduguri headquarters by Nigerian forces in bloody fighting five years ago, Boko Haram rebels have violently exerted control over other territories in the restive northeast, which remains under a state of emergency.
Their first reported use of women as suicide bombers came in June, when Nigerian news agencies said a woman with bombs strapped under her hijab killed a soldier outside a military garrison in Gombe, the capital of Gombe State in the north.Their first reported use of women as suicide bombers came in June, when Nigerian news agencies said a woman with bombs strapped under her hijab killed a soldier outside a military garrison in Gombe, the capital of Gombe State in the north.
Kano, northern Nigeria’s biggest city and the capital of Kano State, was hit by at least four suicide bombings by women in July.Kano, northern Nigeria’s biggest city and the capital of Kano State, was hit by at least four suicide bombings by women in July.
Boko Haram, which opposes Western education and considers the area an Islamic caliphate, has repeatedly carried out brazen attacks and kidnappings, including the mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, a village about 80 miles southwest of Maiduguri, in April. Boko Haram, which opposes Western education and considers the area an Islamic caliphate, has repeatedly carried out brazen attacks and kidnappings, including the mass abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, about 80 miles from Maiduguri, in April.
The Chibok kidnappings created international outrage as Boko Haram leaders vowed to sell the girls as slaves and brides.The Chibok kidnappings created international outrage as Boko Haram leaders vowed to sell the girls as slaves and brides.
A government claim that it had reached a cease-fire with Boko Haram, reported in the Nigerian news media last month, was greeted with broad skepticism. Boko Haram quickly upended the claim with a new attacks and abductions, including the kidnapping of scores of young women near the border with Cameroon. A government claim that it had reached a cease-fire with Boko Haram, reported in the Nigerian news media last month, was greeted with broad skepticism. Boko Haram quickly upended the claim with new attacks and abductions, including the kidnapping of scores of young women near the border with Cameroon. Two weeks ago, a suspected member of Boko Haram masquerading as a student detonated a bomb at a boarding school in the town of Potiskum, killing nearly 50 boys.