Some parts of Potiskum town of Yobe State in North East Nigeria boiled on Tuesday night as no fewer than 17 worshippers were killed by suspected insurgents, who launched attacks on two separate mosques in the town.
The mosques were located at the Kalli Alkali area, around the Emir of Fika’s Palace, and the Sakafa Mosque close to the Potiskum central market.
Our correspondent gathered that the worshippers were targeted in the two separate attacks during the evening prayer at about 7:30pm.
Sympathisers, who besieged the two mosques immediately after the attacks, were said to be horrified by the mutilated bodies of some of the victims as they littered the mosque premises.
Residents also besieged the Potiskum General Hospital to identify those affected as well as commiserate with them.
Although hospital authority declined comments, our correspondent learnt that 17 bodies were brought from the scenes of the two attacks while 35 others, affected by the blasts, were currently receiving treatment at the Potiskum hospital.
Some of the victims, were as of press time, being referred to other hospitals.
One of those involved in the rescue operations, Bala Afuwa of Isma Medical Initiatives, confirmed that 17 people died in the attack while 35 were currently on admission.
“We were involved in the rescue operation from the beginning up to this time and I can confirm to you that 17 people were killed in the separate blasts while 35 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Many of those on admission will be referred to either Nguru or neighbouring Azare for treatment,” he said in Hausa.
The Emir of Fika and chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Mohammadu Idris, who also visited the scene of the two blasts, condemned the attacks, describing it as callous and inhuman.
He called on the people to be vigilant at all times in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier on Monday, suspected Boko Haram members had sacked a military base in the Birni Yadi area of the state before killing no fewer than eight people.
The terrorists reportedly blew off a bridge linking Damaturu, the state capital, through Birni Yadi with Borno and Adamawa states.
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