A suicide-bomber this afternoon in Maiduguri attempted to kill the Shehu of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Garbai Abba Kyari and the Deputy Governor of the Borno State.
The incident happened around 2:15pm, immediately after Friday Jumat prayers at the Mosque in front of the Shehu’s palace.
Eyewitnesses account claim a teenager of about 15 years old was noticed walking towards the two dignitaries outside the Shehu’s mosque where they just had the Jumat prayers.
However, the suspicious manner in which the boy was approaching the Shehu and deputy governor, drew the attention of the security men guarding the Shehu who quickly tried to shield him.
The bomb went off in the process, killing at least 10 other people in the vicinity, wounding two of the soldiers according to eye witness, but the Joint Task Force spokesman in the state, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, has confirmed only five deaths, along with six injuries.
A palace source said that the attack occurred as the Shehu was being escorted to the palace after Friday prayers in the company of the Borno State deputy governor at about 2p.m. local time.
Among the injured were the ward head of Galtimari, Alhaji Lawan Makinta, and some children in the Shehu’s entourage. The suicide attack bears the signature of Boko Haram, the Islamic sect that has waged a bloody insurrection against the Nigerian state.
The area around the Shehu’s palace has been cordoned off and more soldiers have been deployed to the scene..