Suicide bomber kills 22, injures 20 in Maiduguri market

A suicide bomber on Saturday killed 22 people and injured 20 others at the poultry market in Maiduguri, Borno State, witnesses and security sources said.

A source said he counted 22 bodies after the blast, which sent fears into residents. He said the blast occurred about 12:23 pm.

Gideon Jibrin, Borno State police spokesman, confirmed the explosion, saying policemen were already heading to the blast scene.

A source said the explosive device was brought to the market by a female.

“Her body was completely shattered,” he said. “Because of the high calibre explosive she strapped to her body, the upper part of her body was flung apart and found about 500 metres away.”