More details have emerged of the deadly meat market attack in Maiduguri on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 .
The Vanguard reports that the suicide bomber had disguised as a herbalist/traditional medicine seller entering the Maiduguri abattoir section of the cattle market (Kasuwan Shanu), killing over 30 people and injuring 28 others.
The bomber came into the market with a mobile tape recorder playing President Buhari campaign songs which attracted many people. When the music had attracted dozens, he detonated the explosives he was carrying.
The incident took place at about 12 noon when the market was at its peak. The attack left dismembered bodies of victims mixed with slaughtered animal’s flesh at the scene.
A source at Borno State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri said over 30 bodies were brought there, even as he expressed the fear that most of those injured may not survive due to the seriousness of their injuries. “We have received six corpses at the emergency ward since those injured were brought in and I just learnt that another victim of the blast has given up and they are bringing the corpse as we speak.”
A police inspector said many suicide bombers were said to have arrived Maiduguri following the battle with troops on Monday night.
“All security agencies in Maiduguri are on the red alert because these useless people according to signals we received have smuggled themselves into town with the intention of suicide bombing. On Monday (yesterday), about five suicide bombers were arrested at Tashan Baga and this one is another bad day for everybody. For your safety, be cautious while moving around because anything can happen. These bad eggs want to see where people gather so they can wreak more havoc,” he said.
Aminu Sarki, a meat seller at the abattoir, said: “We just heard the loud sound of the explosion and everybody started running. We knew it was a bomb blast, but we could not wait to count the number of the dead, but it is unfortunate that many people were killed or injured in the blast.”
Borno State police commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, ordered the sealing off of the abattoir.
“The situation is under control, as the scene has been cordoned off. Suspected suicide bomber at Kasuwan Shanu in Maiduguri at about 11:30hrs of 2/6/15 invaded the market shouting Sai Buhari in Hausa Language and dancing in the market where he detonated explosives (IEDs) strapped on his body when people had gathered around him.” he said
