The number of dead persons in two suicide bomb blasts that occurred in Umarari-Mulai, in the outskirts of Maiduguri in Borno State, northeast Nigeria has been put at 26, including the suicide bombers.
The attack carried out by two female suicide bombers also left 18 others injured.
Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman confirmed the attack.
He said the first attack targeted a mosque, while the second blast occurred about 50 metres away, a few minutes later.
Troops, security agents and care givers have been mobilized to the scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.
Troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues.
Channels Television’s correspondent in the northeast reports that the first bomb went off from one of the suicide bombers whom had disguised as a man in order to be able to join the worshipers.
The second bomber, who was outside the mosque, detonated her bomb when sympathisers rushed to the scene.
It is the third attack on Umarari, a village occupied by people dislodged by insurgents in adjoining villages.
The military commiserated with the families of the victims of blast and reassure Nigerians that it would continue to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding.
“We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice,” the army said.
It further urged Nigerians to be more security conscious, cooperate with the troops and security agencies and report any suspicious persons, objects or happenings to troops or security agencies at all times.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Boko Haram terrorist group is largely suspected to be responsible.
The group had claimed responsibility for similar attacks in the past.
Boko Haram Would Be Eliminated
The attack came a day after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said he was confident that Boko Haram would be eliminated in Nigeria.
He had said that troops fighting insurgents in the northeast were doing so with utmost commitment and renewed zeal.
He gave the assurance on Tuesday at the office of the Oyo State Governor during his one-day familiarisation tour of the Two Division of Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo in Ibadan.
According to Buratai, the intensity of the onslaught against terrorism has been increased and this has resulted in the noticeable reduction of attacks in the region.
