A suicide bomber on Thursday launched an attack on innocent marketers in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, north east Nigeria, leaving 15 people dead and many others injured.
Biu is the largest Borno town in the southern part of the state, located 187 kilometres south of the troubled Maiduguri, the state capital.
An eye witnessed told Channels Television that “she was buying soup ingredients at the vegetable section of the market around 3:15 PM and suddenly there was a heavy sound and the market was covered with dust as the entire place was thrown into confusion” adding that “human parts were littered at the scene as survivors scrambled for safety”.
A member of the Biu Youth Volunteer popularly called “Civilian JTF” involved in the rescue efforts, who pleaded anonymity, told Channels Television, on phone that a suspected member of the dreaded Boko Haram entered the vegetable section of the Market and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing several people at the market.
He said 15 dead bodies have so far been recovered, with several others carrying varying degrees of injuries, currently receiving medical attention at the Biu General Hospital.
A doctor at the Biu General Hospital, who pleaded anonymity, told Channels Television that 7 dead bodies were brought from the scene while 8 others, passed away shortly after being brought to the hospital.
He also said 21 others with severe injuries are currently being prepared for referrals to other major hospitals within and outside the state.
Thursday’s suicide bomb attack is the first ever suicide attack in Biu Town since the commencement of the Boko Haram insurgency.
In January this year, Boko Haram attempted to attack the military barracks in Biu Town in an effort to take over the cold town, located on a plateau, but were resisted by the military.
