Suicide bomber kills 23 in Yobe

A suicide bomber on Monday killed at least 23 people in the midst of a religious procession of Shi’ite Muslims marking the ritual of Ashoura in Potiskum, Yobe State, witnesses said.

The attacker joined the procession of Shi’ites before setting off his device as they marched through a market in the town of Potiskum, resident Yusuf Abdullahi told Reuters.

“I heard a very heavy explosion as if it happened in my room. It took place just 200 metres from my house,” he said. Another person carrying an explosive that did not go off was also arrested, he added.

Mohammed Gana, whose brother was killed in the attack, said he counted 23 bodies at the scene.

Markus Danladi, the commissioner of police in the state, confirmed the blast when he spoke to newsmen shortly after the incident.

Danladi told newsmen: “I am just receiving a sketchy report of the incident. We are yet to receive the details because it is just happening now.

“I am on my way to Potiskum to see things for myself”, the police commissioner said.

It was also gathered that most of the victims were women and children.

Ashoura marks the death in battle more than 1,300 years ago of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein.

Three months ago, Potiskum was jolted by a suicide bomb attack in a mosque in which scores of people were killed with several others injured.