Conflicting data keep reaching media regarding the number of people killed and injured in the explosion that rocked the busy market in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Photo: Scene of Maiduguri market bombing
According to Vanguard, 50 people, including 16 members of Civilian JTF, died while 68 others sustained serious injuries.
Leadership puts the figure at 56 and 69, respectively.
The previous reports said 18 people have been killed in the course of the attack allegedly launched by a suicide bomber who planted the explosives in the car.
Eyewitnesses tell their stories
Vanguard refers to the words of an eyewitness who said that the IEDs were hidden in a Peugeot 505 saloon car parked in the busy area. Some people noticed the suspicious auto and alerted Civilian JTF men.
“Unfortunately, when about 20 of the Civilian JTF men approached the vehicle, it exploded, leaving about 16 of them dead as well as 30 innocent civilians. 68 people, including the Civilian JTF men were also seriously injured in the blast and were all rushed to various hospitals in Maiduguri for treatment.”
Another man who pleaded anonymity narrated that the owner or the car disappeared in the crowd adding that when they realized the auto had been parked wrongly they tried to find him, but in vain.
“When we realized that the owner had locked the two doors and wound up the glass we were left with no option than to leave it where it was. When I left the place and was about 200 metres away, I heard an explosion apparently from the vehicle which scattered everywhere with mangled bodies of human beings.”
Aftermath
As a result of the explosion not only scores of people lost their lives but also a lot of property was destroyed.
Governor of the troubled Borno State Kashim Shettima visited the scene of the tragedy and the two hospitals where the victims were admitted. He said the state administration would pay for all the medical bills of the victims and support each family that lost their relatives with N1 million.