At least 20 people were killed when a female suicide bomber detonated her explosives at a bus station in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, a civilian vigilante and a survivor said on Monday.
“We have sorted out 20 dead bodies and 50 others that were injured,” said vigilante Danlami Ajaokuta and a survivor who escaped the blast near the city’s fish market on Baga Road.
A civilian vigilante assisting the military against Boko Haram who witnessed the incident said the bomb went off at about 3:50pm.
We heard a loud explosion while we were preparing for afternoon prayers,” he said.
“It happened right inside the motor park (bus station) attached to the fish market where labourers were sorting out rice.”
He said that according to survivors’ accounts, a woman came into the bus station with a casserole dish, shouting out for customers.
“People were occupied with sorting the rice. No one paid any attention.
“Suddenly, the casserole, which obviously contained explosives, went off. She was blown to pieces… We have sorted out 20 dead bodies and 50 others that were injured.”
Ajaokuta’s account was supported by a labourer working at the scene who survived the blast, which sent people running in all directions in fear and panic.
“The rescue operation is still on, so the death toll may be higher at the end,” said the labourer, who asked not to be identified.
Reports from Maiduguri indicated that the bomber was a girl aged about 17 but there was no immediate confirmation of her age.