By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri
The Nigerian army has said that normalcy has resumed in Damaturu, Yobe State, following Friday morning’s twin suicide bomb attack at the screening designated by security agents for the purpose of checking Muslim worshipers, less than 24 hours after similar attacks on a market in Gombe, Gombe State capital, which left at least 49 dead and more than 70 injured.
Army spokesperson, Sani Kukasheka, said the attacks, which occurred around 7am, were carried out by two female suicide bombers, an elderly woman and a 10 years old girl, at “Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at “Phase One”, in front of former State Secretariat Complex, Damaturu.”
“The situation is currently under control. The Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai have sympathised with the victims and the people of the state and urged residents to stay calm and be security conscious at all times,” Kukasheka said.
Friday’s attacks claimed 15 lives, with 41 injured, according to the medical director at the state’s Specialist Hospital, Adamu Fika, and happened despite the presence of the newly appointed army chief, Tukur Buratai, a major general, who was in the state to celebrate Sallah with troops, boost their morale, increase civil-military relations and assess the readiness of troops with regards to availability of equipment.
Kukasheka reiterated the military’s determination to end the insurgency ravaging the northeast.
“No amount of terrorist acts would deter our resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency in our fatherland,” he added.