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Borno Eid suicide attack death toll rises to 43

Published

7 years ago

June 18, 2018

Deadly weekend attacks by suspected Boko Haram jihadists using young girls as suicide bombers killed 43 people in northeastern Nigeria , officials said Monday , updating the toll .Blasts ripped through the town of Damboa in Borno state on Saturday evening targeting people returning from celebrating the Eid al -Fitr holiday , in an attack bearing all the hallmarks of Boko Haram .

“ About 43 lost their lives , 12 individuals who are desperately injured ” are being flown by helicopter to the Maiduguri with help from the ICRC , local official Kaumi Wakil told AFP , referring to the capital of Borno and the birthplace of Boko Haram .

Wakil said 35 others were injured and were in the “ process of referral to the ICRC clinic ” in Biu. Another local official confirmed the new death toll , which had initially been reported as 31 .

Following the suicide bombings , the jihadists fired rocket -propelled grenades into the crowds that had gathered at the scene of the attacks, driving the number of casualties higher .

“ Civilians consistently bear the brunt of the conflict and over 200 women , children and men have now been killed in indiscriminate attacks in the north – east since the beginning of the year , ” the UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria Myrta Kaulard said .

“ I urge the government of Nigeria to further step up protection of people . ”

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in 2015 vowing to stamp out Boko Haram , but the jihadists continue to stage frequent attacks, targeting both civilians and security forces .

The deadly violence , which has claimed more than 20 , 000 lives in nine years , has put Buhari under pressure as elections approach in February next year .

AFP