Ctwentysevenj
02-23-2015, 06:07 AM
Boko Haram has turned women and girls into suicide bombers in recent months. On Jan. 12, two girls targeted this mobile phone market in Potiskum, Nigeria. The village was struck again on Sunday. (Adamu Adamu/Associated Press)
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Children used as suicide bombers again in Nigeria
Female Nigerian suicide bomber kills herself and 3 others
300 Boko Haram fighters killed, Nigeria says
A young girl with explosives strapped to her body killed five people and wounded dozens at a security checkpoint outside a market in the northeast Nigerian town of Potiskum on Sunday, witnesses said.
"[She] refused to be checked at the gate to the market and an argument ensued," witness Ibrahim Maishago told Reuters by telephone. "She let off the bomb, killing herself and five others, while many were injured."
Children used as suicide bombers again in Nigeria
Female Nigerian suicide bomber kills herself and 3 others
300 Boko Haram fighters killed, Nigerian army says
Resident Bala Potiskum said he saw dozens of wounded being rushed to hospital after Sunday's blast.
No one claimed responsibility for the bombing, which bore the hallmarks of Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The insurgents have suffered a string of defeats in a military offensive by Nigeria and neighbours Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Both witnesses described the bomber as a "small girl," estimating that she could not have been more than eight years old.
The attack marked the second time the village had been hit by child suicide bombers. On Jan. 12, two girls, who witnesses said appeared to be about 10 years old, detonated bombs in the market, killing two people.
Deadly attacks
The Islamist fighters appear to be on the run in many parts of Nigeria and regions near its borders, after being subjected to a major offensive on all sides, but retain the ability to mount deadly surprise attacks.
The use of female suicide bombers, sometimes young girls, has been a common tactic of Boko Haram since last year, as have revenge attacks on civilians when the group is under pressure.
Nigerian forces backed by air strikes seized the northeastern border town of Baga from Boko Haram on Saturday, the military said, a significant victory and one of a string of recent successes.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been strongly criticized for not taking tougher action against Boko Haram, faces an election on March 28 in which security is a key issue.
Potiskum, Nigeria
46 shares
Share
Related Stories
Children used as suicide bombers again in Nigeria
Female Nigerian suicide bomber kills herself and 3 others
300 Boko Haram fighters killed, Nigeria says
A young girl with explosives strapped to her body killed five people and wounded dozens at a security checkpoint outside a market in the northeast Nigerian town of Potiskum on Sunday, witnesses said.
"[She] refused to be checked at the gate to the market and an argument ensued," witness Ibrahim Maishago told Reuters by telephone. "She let off the bomb, killing herself and five others, while many were injured."
Children used as suicide bombers again in Nigeria
Female Nigerian suicide bomber kills herself and 3 others
300 Boko Haram fighters killed, Nigerian army says
Resident Bala Potiskum said he saw dozens of wounded being rushed to hospital after Sunday's blast.
No one claimed responsibility for the bombing, which bore the hallmarks of Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The insurgents have suffered a string of defeats in a military offensive by Nigeria and neighbours Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Both witnesses described the bomber as a "small girl," estimating that she could not have been more than eight years old.
The attack marked the second time the village had been hit by child suicide bombers. On Jan. 12, two girls, who witnesses said appeared to be about 10 years old, detonated bombs in the market, killing two people.
Deadly attacks
The Islamist fighters appear to be on the run in many parts of Nigeria and regions near its borders, after being subjected to a major offensive on all sides, but retain the ability to mount deadly surprise attacks.
The use of female suicide bombers, sometimes young girls, has been a common tactic of Boko Haram since last year, as have revenge attacks on civilians when the group is under pressure.
Nigerian forces backed by air strikes seized the northeastern border town of Baga from Boko Haram on Saturday, the military said, a significant victory and one of a string of recent successes.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been strongly criticized for not taking tougher action against Boko Haram, faces an election on March 28 in which security is a key issue.
Potiskum, Nigeria