By Olarewaju Kola
MAIDUGURI, (AA): At least 47 people were killed in a blast after a bomb was reportedly buried at a local market in a remote town in Nigeria’s Borno state, sources said.
The explosion occurred at the crowded Sabon Gari market, a military officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Anadolu Agency.
The source blamed Boko Haram, which has carried out many attacks in the area, for the incident.
“We’ve removed 47 corpses from the scene,” Jubrilla Musa, a member of the state-backed Youth Vigilante group said. “The blast occurred in a busy area with many traders and other local people [present].”
Musa also said that nearly 60 people were injured and have been taken to Biu General Hospital, some 65 kilometers away.
Analysts say Boko Haram appears to have shifted its violent campaign to the southern part of troubled Borno state.
[Photo:The graph illustrates the annexed areas under Boko Haram control which are estimated to be the size of Belgium. Graphic: Mevlüt Eren/Anadolu Agency]