Female Suicide Bombers Kill 22 at Nigerian Mosque

Local Editor

Two female suicide bombers killed at least 22 worshipers in an attack during dawn prayers Wednesday on a mosque on the outskirts of the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, rescue officials said from the birthplace of Boko Haram.

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

At least 17 people were wounded and evacuated to the hospital, said Abdul Mohammed of the State Emergency Management Agency.

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.

The mosque is in the Boko Haram stronghold of Umarari on the outskirts of the city that is the command center of the Nigerian military's war against Boko Haram terrorist group. Several suicide bombers have exploded in recent months at roadblocks leading into the city manned by the military and vigilantes, indicating success in preventing attackers from reaching crowded areas.

It is the first attack on Maiduguri since Dec. 28, when Boko Haram attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and multiple suicide bombers, killing at least 50 people.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website Team