Nigeria: Twin bombings leave dozens dead, injured

Thursday, February 4, 2016

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - Suicide bombings in two predominantly Christian communities in northeast Nigeria last week left at least 26 dead and dozens more injured.

According to Morning Star News, a teen aged suicide bomber suspected to be from Boko Haram detonated his explosives in a crowded market in Gombi, Adamawa state, killing at least eight people and wounding 25.

Gombi was one of several Christian communities captured by Boko Haram; although the Nigerian military has since reclaimed it, many displaced Christians have refused to return for fear of the terrorists.

In Chibok, Borno state, suicide bombers also suspected to have been sent by Boko Haram attacked another crowded market, killing at least 18 and injuring at least 30 others. The market had reopened that day after Haram captured Chibok two years ago.

The first suicide bombing reportedly was at a military checkpoint where a wounded soldier had later succumbed to his injuries. Later at the newly reopened market in Chibok, a woman that authorities were about to search detonated an explosive; other women or men dressed as veiled women also detonated explosives at the market.

Boko Haram has increasingly used captured children and adults as suicide bombers; some explosives have been detonated remotely.