Explosion Kills Many in Maiduguri Abattoir

Tuesday, 02 June 2015 13:08
Written by Hamza Idris, Maiduguri

Many people are feared killed today  after a bomb exploded at the Maiduguri abattoir in the troubled Borno State, witnesses said.

The incident happened around 12.35 pm at a commercial toilet facility within the abattoir, the biggest slaughter house  in Maiduguri where animal protein including camels, cows, sheep and goats are prepared before distribution.

Sources said most butchers in the abattoir take their bath there after the day's work which normally lasts between 6.30am and 12 noon.

"The bomb was kept in a bag near the rest house and the owner pretended as if he wanted to ease himself," butcher Tanko Mahauchi said.

"Many people were killed when the bomb exploded and many others sustained serious injuries," he said.

Fire service men, Red Cross and NEMA officials have mobilized to the scene.

In the early hours of today, hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists had wanted to invade Maiduguri with RPGs but were repelled by the  Nigerian troops.