10-year-old suicide bomber kills 20 in Borno

AT least 20 people have been killed, with about 18 others injured by a bomb attack in the North-Eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri. The suicide bomber was said to be a girl, whose age could not be more than 10 years according to reports from sources which include residents, journalists and security operatives. The account was later corroborated by the police.

The explosion, which occurred at about 12:20 pm yesterday, at the Maiduguri poultry market is coming less than six weeks after the same market was hit by suicide bombers. 

Though no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, witnesses say all the signs point to the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram.

Borno State police spokesman, Gideon Jibrin said that the girl suicide bomber let off an improvised explosive device near the area of the market where chickens were sold. The Police, he said, were already at the scene to ascertain the extent of damage.

A security source said the explosion occurred shortly after another suspected bomber was apprehended in the area. Suicide bombers, believed to be members of Boko Haram had attacked the same market last December.   ...NigerianTribune