Eight killed in fresh Maiduguri blasts

At least eight people have so far been confirmed killed in two explosions that occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday afternoon.

The explosions which were targeted at the densely populated Baga fish market in Maiduguri however did not occur in the heart of the market, according to eyewitnesses.

One eyewitness told our correspondent on phone that the first explosion went off at about 3.30pm near the office of the Borno State Fish Sellers Association, at the entrance of the market, when the Asr prayer was in progress, killing seven people.

The second explosion occurred along the same way near BEWAC Company on Baga road, he added.

Another eyewitness, who was close to the scene of the blasts, Mallam Hassan Ibrahim, said he counted seven dead bodies on the spot.

“The incident occurred at exactly 3:45pm when people were having prayer. The suicide bomber detonated the Improvised Explosive Device near the office of the fish sellers. We rush to the scene because my shop is near the area. I counted seven people that were dead. Many others were groaning in pain.

“About two ambulances came to evacuate the victims to the hospital. I cannot tell you exactly which hospital they were taking them to. But it was a terrible sight to behold,” Ibrahim told our correspondent.