Update: Twin bomb blasts hit Madagali Market in Adamawa

Boko Haram Islamic terrorist group have struck Madagali Market in Adamawa State Friday morning in a twin bomb blasts killing several number of people.

Madagali lies some 276km from the Adamawa State capital, Yola.

It is on the edge of the Boko Haram Sambisa Forest stronghold, which Nigeria’s military has been bombing ahead of ground assaults.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba, Sa’ad Bello the number of casualty was yet to be ascertained.

The latest blast is the third in Madagali, following attacks by two female suicide bombers on December 28, 2015, at a busy motor park.

Since the military has dislodged the extremists from towns and villages this year, the insurgents have been attacking soft targets.

The town, which is close to neighbouring Borno State, was one of several others held by Boko Haram at the height of the group’s brutal insurgency.

The Council Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Hon. Yusuf Mohammed has confirmed that many people are feared dead as a result of the explosion.

According to him, food stuff of different varieties worth millions of Naira were destroyed by the blast.

He said the blast occurred at the earlier hours of today and casualties have not been ascertain at the time of filing in this report.

The Adamawa state Police command through it’s PPRO, Othman Abubakar have also confirmed the incident.

He said Nigerian Police operatives have since been deployed to that area.

Yusuf called on relevant authorities to totally rescue Madagali and the environs as it is strategically situated between Sambisa forest and shares boundary with southern Borno who are the worst hit of Boko Haram.

“Certainly there is casualty but I can’t really give you a figure for now,” Mohammed was quoted as saying.

A resident of Madagali, who simply identified himself as Hamma, told NAN that many people were affected as the blasts occurred around the busy areas of the market.

“You know today is our market day. I just pray God to minimize the casualty,” Hamma said.

Also, Police spokesman Othman Abubakar confirms the blasts but says he has no toll on victims yet.

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