A tragic incident unfolded in the rural community of Kauri, located in the Konduga area of Borno State, North East Nigeria, when a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber detonated a bomb at a bustling night marketplace.
The attack, which occurred around 9 pm on Wednesday, July 31, has left a trail of destruction and sorrow in its wake.
According to local sources, the explosion resulted in the deaths of a policeman and a woman, while also causing extensive injuries to numerous civilians.
Two patrol vans were reportedly set ablaze during the attack. The marketplace, known for its nighttime activities, was crowded with people at the time of the explosion.
Contrary to initial reports suggesting a suicide bombing, a government official from the village, speaking anonymously, indicated that the bomb might have been planted.
The official noted that the blast occurred at a local tea joint, a popular gathering spot for villagers.
“Nobody can say exactly how it happened, but we suspected that the bomb was planted, not a suicide attack,” the official stated.
The aftermath of the attack was grim, with the bodies of 19 people being recovered from the scene.
An unspecified number of injured individuals were quickly evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri for medical treatment.
This tragic event comes on the heels of another violent incident in the region.
Just a day prior, Shettima Mustapha, an accountant with the Local Education Authority in Damboa Local Government Area, was killed in an attack, further highlighting the ongoing insecurity and violence plaguing the state.