AhlulBayt News Agency

source : AFP
Friday

30 December 2011

8:30:00 PM
287615

Five dead' in blast near northeast Nigeria mosque

An explosion killed five people in the violence-torn city Nigerian city of Maiduguri as Muslim faithful left a mosque after Friday prayers, the military and residents said.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - "There was a loud blast near the mosque just after the Friday prayers as people were trooping out of the mosque," one resident said.

The blast comes after a series of Christmas attacks blamed Boko Haram killed at least 42 people, most of them outside a Catholic church near the capital Abuja, and raised fears of reprisals from Christians.

"There was a loud blast near the mosque just after the Friday prayers as people were trooping out of the mosque," one resident said. "Everybody scampered to safety, leading to a stampede."

Another resident, Mohammed Bukar, reported five dead and others wounded.

"There was confusion following the blast," he said. "When the dust settled, I saw four dead people being loaded into a vehicle along with some wounded in the blast."

A spokesman for a military task force in the region confirmed the blast but could not immediately provide details.


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