No fewer than eight persons died in Sunday night multiple blasts in Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria’s north east state of Borno. The injured were estimated at about 50, according to hospital sources.
Three blasts reportedly went off, hitting a mosque and the area near the building, according to military spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosions on the edge of the city centre but they bore the hallmarks of Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
“There were three improvised explosive devices explosions at Gomari and Ajilari general area in Maiduguri at about 7:21 p.m. [1821 GMT],” said Usman.
“Although details are not clear, it is important to note the attacks signify high level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists,” he added.
Bubakar Aliyu, a farmer who had just finished praying at a smaller mosque, said, “I heard the first blast from the main mosque … another exploded at a cluster of shops. I ran back to home and as I approached my house I heard another blast.”
A new audio message purportedly from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, which was released on social media on Saturday, calls the Nigerian army liars for saying troops have regained territory from the militant Islamist group.