One of the victims of Monday night’s explosion in Maiduguri, Borno State, Abacha Mustapha, has described the frightening moment the blast occurred, leaving him badly injured.
Speaking from his hospital bed at Umaru Shehu Hospital on Tuesday, Mustapha said he had just finished the day’s activities and was about to leave the market when the explosion happened.
“We had just broken our fast and were preparing to close when the first explosion went off. I heard a loud bang, and suddenly my neck started bleeding,” he said.
The incident threw the area into panic, as traders and residents fled in different directions in a desperate attempt to escape.
“It was complete chaos. People were running, some fell, others were screaming. At first, I didn’t even understand what had happened,” he added.
Mustapha credited his brother for saving his life, explaining that he quickly used a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding before rushing him to the hospital.
“If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said.
Hospital officials confirmed that several victims were brought in with varying degrees of injuries, including burns and shrapnel wounds.
Eyewitnesses noted that the explosion occurred at a busy time, as traders were closing for the day and residents were returning home after breaking their fast.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has warned of a possible threat of multiple suicide bombers in Maiduguri, urging residents to stay away from crowded places.
The coordinated attacks reportedly claimed 23 lives and left 108 others injured. Military authorities said the blasts targeted crowded locations, including the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis, and the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives swiftly secured the affected areas and carried out thorough checks to prevent further threats.
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