The National Emergency Management Agency has released the casualty figure in bomb attack on a mosque in Yola, the Adamawa state capital 23/10/2015.
Sani Datti, a spokesperson for the agency, revealed that 27 people were killed, 96 were injured and evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Yola and the Specialist Hospital Jimeta.
Few hours after suicide bomber struck at a mosque in Maiduguri, another bombing was reported in a mosque in Jimeta area of Yola the Adamawa state capital.
The explosion happened as worshippers were observing the weekly Jumaat service.
“They planted the bomb inside the mosque and many lives were lost in the attack, because of the number of worshipers there,” the source said.
Sani Dati, spokesperson of the Adamawa state emergency management agency, told The Cable that he was unaware of the attack but pledged to make findings.
“Yola or Maiduguri? I am not aware of any attack in Yola, let me make some calls and get back to you,” he said.
More that 17 people have been confirmed dead and 73 others injured. Many of the Muslim faithfuls were leaving the mosque just after their Friday prayers when the incident occured.
One volunteer at the Jambutu Juma’at mosque, who assisted in the rescue effort, said: “This mosque was nearly built and this was the first prayers in it.
“While worshippers had risen for the prayers to start after the sermon by the imam, there was a huge blast in the premises.
“There was confusion and dozens of worshippers lay on the ground in blood. We are still sifting through the victims to separate the dead from the injured.
“We’re talking of scores of people dead and injured.”
Another rescuer, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s bad. The casualties are definitely going to be huge.
“The explosion happened in the midst of a large congregation of worshippers. We still don’t have a definite toll but certainly the toll will be high.”
Nigerians immediately reacted on Twitter, attacking President Muhammadu Buhari, who promised to end the deadly insurgency.
The Yola attack occurred hours after a similar explosion happened in a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
More than 28 people killed and many others injured in the deadly onslaught.
No group has claimed responsibility for both attacks. However, a terrorist sect Boko Haram, has carried out similar attacks in the past.
