Suicide bombings kill 19 in Nigeria

Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in north-east Nigeria in an attack militia leaders yesterday said was by Boko Haram.

The blasts happened about 8.30pm on Friday in Konduga, 35 kilometres south-east of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

Babakura Kolo and Musa Ari, from the Civilian Joint Task Force assisting Nigeria’s military against Boko Haram, said the bombers were all men.

“We have 19 dead and about 70 others injured,” Mr Kolo said. “Two of the bombers attacked the Tashan Kifi fish market. Then four minutes later, a third bomber struck near by.

“The victims included 18 civilians and one soldier. The Tashan Kifi is an informal market that serves as an eatery, market and hangout for residents.”

Mr Ari said 22 of the 70 injured were in a critical condition.

“There is no question as to who did it. Boko Haram has targeted Konduga several times,” he said.

Borno state has borne the brunt of the violence in Boko Haram’s nearly nine-year insurgency.

At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless since 2009.

Nigeria’s military and government says the group is a spent force, but suicide attacks and raids persist, with civilians in remote rural areas and outlying towns at risk.

On January 31, two female suicide bombers blew themselves up in the village of Mandarari, near Konduga.

The blasts happened shortly after another bomber killed four people and injured 44 at a displaced people’s camp in Dalori, 22km away on the same road to Maiduguri.

A fourth bomber also blew herself up outside the camp.