A suicide attack by a teenage boy at a Mosque has claimed the lives of at least 30 persons in Mubi, Adamawa state.
According to the Adamawa State Police Command, the attack occurred around 5:20am local time, at Kunu Araha, a suburb in Mubi North.
It was allegedly triggered by a yet to be identified teenage boy who set off the suicide vest he was wearing.
Adamawa police spokesman, Othman Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said more than 30 persons lost their lives.
Another report also estimated that at least 50 people may have died in the attack.
Asked who was responsible, Abubakar in an AFP report said, “We all know the trend. We don’t suspect anyone specifically but we know those behind such kind of attacks.”
Abubakar said; “We were made to understand that there was a bomb blast at a mosque in Mubi and over 30 lives were lost. A boy about 17-year-old wearing a suicide vest entered the mosque along with other worshippers.
“Immediately after the prayers, he detonated the bomb. Many of the wounded are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Mubi North where the attacks occurred around Kunu Araha area.”
He noted that several other persons wounded in the attacks are receiving medical attention at various medical hospitals in Mubi Town.
However, emergency aid workers and other first responders put the death toll in the attack at 40.
An official working with the International Rescue Committee Emma Adasolid, who was among the first responders to arrive at the secene, said about 40 dead bodies were evacuated.
Abubakar Sule, who lives near the mosque, said he had just returned home when he heard the blast.
“I was there when the rescue was on and 40 people died on the spot and several others were taken to hospital with severe and life-threatening injuries,” he added.
“The roof was blown off. People near the mosque said the prayer was mid-way when the bomber, who was obviously in the congregation, detonated his explosives.
“This is obviously the work of Boko Haram.”