The bombing scene in Maroua

Less than 12 hours after a female suicide bomber blasted 20 people to death in Maroua Cameroon, the Boko Haram insurgents have once again demonstrated their capacity to create havoc in their opponents’ territory by hitting Damaturu, in north east Nigeria, killing dozens of people.

The blast set off by another female suicide bomber tore through a crowded market in the city, at about 9.30 A.M, the latest in a series of attacks in the last few weeks that bear the hallmarks of militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

“Fifteen people have been confirmed dead so far and more dead bodies are being brought to the hospital,” said police spokesman Toyin Gbadegasin. Witnesses said around 50 people had been injured.

A body bag used to carry a Boko Haram victim in Maroua. Photo credit: L’oeil du Sahel

The explosion in the centre of Yobe state’s capital came six days after a suicide bomber killed three policemen at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city.

And earlier this month at least 50 people were killed in the city by a female suicide bomber as worshippers gathered to mark the Muslim holiday Eid el-Fitr.

Since they were pushed out of the swathe of territory by the combined military forces of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger early this year, Boko Haram, after some lull, have since carried out attacks in northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries, announcing that they were still a potent rebellious force.