30 killed, 67 injured in northeast Nigeria bombings

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Thirty civilians were killed and 67 others were injured in two suspected suicide blasts in northeastern Nigeria’s Madagali town Friday, according to an army spokesman.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Mubi and Gulak towns, Maj. Badare Akintoye told reporters.

He said the bombings took place at a local grain market in the morning, adding the attack was allegedly carried out by two female suicide bombers.

Madagali is a few kilometers away from the Sambisa Forest, which is considered as one of the biggest fortresses of the Boko Haram militants.

The town was seized by militants in 2014 but it was later liberated in March 2015 during the army's crackdown on the group.

Militants have stepped up suicide bombings and ambushes, especially in the Boko Haram birthplace of Borno State where a report earlier this week said some 240 civilians have been killed so far this year. The army too has also lost several high profile officials and soldiers in ambushes carried out by the militant group.