Leadership (Abuja)

Nigeria: Suicide Bomber Attacks Shehu of Borno, Deputy Governor

Photo: Leadership
Bomb blast scene in Maiduguri (file photo)

A suicide bomber on Friday, attacked a praying ground at the Palace of the Shehu of Borno, killing at least five.

The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar bin Umar Gabai Elkanemi, and the deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha who were the primary targets however escaped the blast unhurt. The explosion reportedly injured the ward head of Galtimari, Alhaji Lawan Makinta, and some children in the Shehu's entourage.

Hundreds of worshippers use the palace of the Shehu of Borno as a praying ground for their Friday prayers.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the explosion occurred as the Shehu was being escorted to the palace after Friday prayers.

A young boy reported to be of about the age of 15 was noticed walking towards the two dignitaries in a suspicious manner. However, the security men attached to the dignitaries took note and shielded the dignitaries from him. But the bomb went off, killing at least 10 other people in the vicinity and critically wounding two of the soldiers.

The Deputy Governor confirmed that the suicide bomber was a young boy who was targeting him and the Shehu of Borno. He says neither of them were hurt in the blast.

Although eyewitnesses said no fewer than ten persons were killed in the attack, the Field Operations Officer of the Joint Task Force, Victor Ebhaleme told the Associated Press that five persons were killed and six others injured.

  • Comment (5)

Copyright © 2012 Leadership. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 130 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

Comments Post a comment

  • fecwatsolomon
    Jul 14 2012, 08:48

    The boko haram attack in maiduguri was a melodrama,because for the first time we heared the sound of the explosion on tv not like others that after the explosion d media will arrived the place.even the cameraman only allow the viewers to hear just the sound he could not show us those that where hurt and the extend of the damage that was done,thank you for your objective reporting all over Africa and the world at large.

  • barryelislam2000
    Jul 15 2012, 15:38

    Sooner or later that hours must come............

  • dmnnumberone
    Jul 14 2012, 17:04

    using children is evil.

  • ngozimary24
    Jul 14 2012, 17:32

    So sorry about the ugly incident but i pray may the almighty save there souls from hell and give them eternal rest Amen. But Nigerians should wake up.

  • essienbassey87
    Jul 14 2012, 21:36

    I wonder why nigeria is like dz? Lets think how nigeria is going to be, in the next 15years if we can't stop this rubbish, dat meant are future generation will hav problem.

InFocus

Nigeria: Borno Deputy Governor, Shehu, Survive Blast

picture

A suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri where the deputy governor Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha and the Shehu Alhaji Ibn Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi were worshipping at the ... Read more »