Nigeria: Twin blasts claim 12 lives in Maidguri

By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDGURI, Kenya (AA) - At least 12 people have been killed and 48 injured in twin explosions in northeastern Maidguri city, police said.

Damian Chukwu, police commissioner of Borno state, said two male suicide bomber detonated explosives at Alai Fadau, a local market near Muna camp, for those displaced by Boko Haram violence, in the outskirts of the city at 4.15 pm local time (0315GMT).

"Rescue workers recovered 12 bodies, including the two suicide bombers, while 48 injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment," he added.

The bombing was the first this year in a city troubled by nearly eight years of insurgency.

The incident occurred as the military commander of the counter-insurgency operation in the region, Maj.Gen Rogers Nicholas asked troops to brace up to end Boko Haram in the country this year.

The city suffered more than 10 bomb attacks in 2017.