By Olarewaju Kola
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria
At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured when a bomb tore through a market on Sunday morning in the town of Damaturu in Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe State, according to police sources.
A female suicide bomber -- thought to be a member of the Boko Haram militant group -- blew herself up at the market’s entrance, Toyin Gbadegesin, a local police official, said.
“The suicide bomber, who had a bomb strapped to her body, was about ten years old,” the official added.
He said the blast had occurred at about 9.30 a.m. local time, adding that 47 people injured by the blast were receiving treatment at a nearby state hospital.
According to police, five un-detonated explosive devices were recovered from the scene, which has since been cordoned off by emergency workers and security personnel.
In recent months, Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe and Adamawa states have seen frequent bomb attacks, for which the authorities generally blame Boko Haram.
