{Nigerian police have confirmed the killing of 12 persons in twin suicide bombs at the Baga Gish market in Maiduguri, capital city of troubled Borno state in northeast Nigeria.}
The two female bombers were involved.
They were reported to have sneaked into the market late Monday and detonated the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) strapped around their bodies.
Other reports say they came disguised as beggars.
The Borno state police commissioner, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, said the incident took place “at about 3:40 pm as Muslim faithful in the market were observing their Ishai prayers” when the first explosion went off.
The two explosions came an after the other almost simultaneously while female suicide bomber killed herself when the IEDs wrapped in her body accidentally went off before reaching her target at a mosque close to the market.
Baga market is near the Nigerian army’s 7th Division’s military command and control centre.
Task Force
The international fish market has been a centre of attraction for suicide bombers and Boko Haram’s attacks. The market is stocked with fish and bush meat from the Lake Chad Basin.
“The injured have been conveyed to hospital. Investigations are in progress,” Mr Opadokun said.
No fewer than 110 people have been killed through suicide attacks since President Muhammadu Buhari promised to invigorate the battle against Boko Haram.
His diplomatic shuttles have resulted in the enlistment of Chad, Niger, Cameroun and Benin to join forces to fast-tract the existing but ineffective Multinational Joint Military Task Force formed to fight the insurgents.
The administration has released $22 million to breathe life into the task force. The US also gave $4 million.
A Nigerian commander has been appointed for the task force which has its headquarters in N’djamena, Chad.
{{Africa Review}}
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