Female suicide bombers kill 22 at Nigerian mosque

MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA // Two female suicide bombers killed at least 22 worshippers in an attack during dawn prayers Wednesday on a mosque on the outskirts of Maiduguri, northern Nigeria, officials said.

One bomber blew up inside the mosque and the second waited outside to detonate as survivors tried to escape, said Abba Aji, coordinator of the civilian self-defence Vigilante Group.

At least 18 people were wounded and evacuated to the hospital, said army spokesman Col Sani Usman.

Umar Usman said he escaped because he was late. “We were just a few meters away from the mosque when a loud bang erupted and all we could see was dark smoke and bodies littered around,” he said.

Rescuers were still searching for bodies or survivors. A hospital official said 13 bodies already have been claimed for burial.

The mosque is in Umarari on the outskirts of the city that is the military command centre of the war against Boko Haram. Reports that Umarari is a Boko Haram stronghold were incorrect, officials said.

Several suicide bombers have exploded in recent months at blockades leading into the city, indicating success in preventing attackers from reaching crowded areas.

It is the first attack on Maiduguri since December 28, when rocket-propelled grenades and multiple suicide bombers killed 50 people including refugees from the war.

The military said dozens of emaciated extremists surrendered this month, indicating success in cutting supply routes, including from neighbouring countries to which the insurgency has spread.

Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari has claimed that the military has forced Boko Haram out of all towns. But the general in charge of the US Africa Command said they still hold “significant” territory and northeastern officials said that includes three border towns.

* Associated Press