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Nigeria Eid shoppers 'killed in Gombe market explosions' | Nigeria Eid shoppers 'killed in Gombe market explosions' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Two explosions at a market in Nigeria's north-eastern city of Gombe have killed at least 49 people and injured dozens of others, officials have said. | |
The market was crowded with people doing last-minute shopping on the eve of the Eid festival marking the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. | The market was crowded with people doing last-minute shopping on the eve of the Eid festival marking the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. |
One witness told the BBC many of the bodies he had seen were of children. | One witness told the BBC many of the bodies he had seen were of children. |
The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since President Muhammudu Buhari took office in May. | The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since President Muhammudu Buhari took office in May. |
It has not yet commented on the latest attack. | It has not yet commented on the latest attack. |
A trader in the market, Ali Nasiru, told the AFP news agency that he saw "people lying lifeless on the ground" and traders and shoppers helped in rescue efforts. | A trader in the market, Ali Nasiru, told the AFP news agency that he saw "people lying lifeless on the ground" and traders and shoppers helped in rescue efforts. |
The cause of the blasts was not yet known a shopper in the market told the BBC Hausa service, but reports say it was caused by a bomb planted inside a plastic bag. | The cause of the blasts was not yet known a shopper in the market told the BBC Hausa service, but reports say it was caused by a bomb planted inside a plastic bag. |
The attack comes two days after new military chiefs were appointed by President Buhari, who has promised to stem the violence that has plagued the north-east of the country for the last six years. | The attack comes two days after new military chiefs were appointed by President Buhari, who has promised to stem the violence that has plagued the north-east of the country for the last six years. |
Boko Haram has targeted markets and bus stations in Gombe city in the past. | Boko Haram has targeted markets and bus stations in Gombe city in the past. |
Last year, the group took control of a large area of north-eastern Nigeria and declared a caliphate (a state governed in accordance with Islamic law). | Last year, the group took control of a large area of north-eastern Nigeria and declared a caliphate (a state governed in accordance with Islamic law). |
Nigeria's military, backed by troops from neighbouring countries, has recaptured most of the territory, but in recent weeks there has been an upsurge in suicide attacks. | Nigeria's military, backed by troops from neighbouring countries, has recaptured most of the territory, but in recent weeks there has been an upsurge in suicide attacks. |
According to Amnesty International, at least 17,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Boko Haram launched its uprising in 2009. | According to Amnesty International, at least 17,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Boko Haram launched its uprising in 2009. |
The group is still holding many women, girls and children captive, including 219 schoolgirls it kidnapped from a school in Chibok in April last year. | The group is still holding many women, girls and children captive, including 219 schoolgirls it kidnapped from a school in Chibok in April last year. |
Boko Haram at a glance | Boko Haram at a glance |
Will new military HQ defeat Boko Haram? | Will new military HQ defeat Boko Haram? |
Why Boko Haram remains a threat | Why Boko Haram remains a threat |
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