The festivities and celebration that characterized in the ending of the Ramadan fast have been marred in Abachari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State as six suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber targeted people returning home after a Sallah fair in Damboa killing no less than 32 and injuring 48 more.
The incident was confirmed by both the police and Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The State Commissioner of police, Damian Chukwu, told journalists in Maiduguri that the explosion occurred at Abachari town, in Damboa Local Government Area, on Saturday evening.
“At about quarter to nine, yesterday (Saturday) night, a loud explosion was heard at Abachari village, along Damboa/Chibok road,” he said. “The DPO mobilized our men from the SARS and the Civilian-JTF to the scene and found 20 people dead and 48 others injured.
“Some of the bodies were found shattered, indicating that the explosion came from an explosive device,” Mr. Chukwu said.
In a bid to forestall Boko Haram attack, the Borno State government had on Thursday announced a half day vehicular curfew – from 6 p.m. to 12 noon on Friday. The curfew restricted worshipers to pray at Eid prayer grounds closed to their homes.
The Sallah celebration went on without any ugly incident the Borno State capital, the epicentre of Boko Haram attacks until the celebration was marred by the tragic incident in Damboa.
Damboa, shared proximity with Sambissa forest, the fortressed enclave of Boko Haram.
