BREAKING: Bomb blast kills traders, travelers in Maiduguri

Innocent traders and travelers were tragically killed this morning as an improvised explosive suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents went off outside a car park in Maiduguri, Borno state.

The explosion went off at a park popularly called Mun Garage at about 9a.m. in the capital city of the north-east Nigerian state. Speaking to TopNaija.ng, a witness who said he was lucky to survive the incident said he saw about a dozen bodies covered with blood littering the scene.

“I thank God for sparing my life,,” said Usman Kachalla, a local trader. “I don’t know if it is a suicide bomber, we just heard the blast and I saw my self covered with dust.”

An official of the Civilian-JTF, Alhaji Khalil, confirmed the incident to TopNaija.ng. “Yes there was a blast early this morning outside Muna Garage along Mafa road. We have sent our operatives down there; but we have not confirmed the casualty,” said the Civilian-JTF official.

The Borno State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Victor Izukwu, in a message to our correspondent said, “Two vehicles were involved in the blast, the first vehicle with registration number JERE 349 XA had all its occupants, four female and the male driver killed.”

“The second vehicle which was very close had its five occupants injured, but none died as they only sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

He said the incident occurred in Muna garage in Maiduguri, Borno State and that emergency workers were immediately deployed in the area.