Dozens feared dead as explosion rocks Nigerian townJune 2, 2014 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Dozens of people were feared dead following an explosion on Sunday, June 1 evening in northeastern Nigeria, with Boko Haram militants believed to be behind the attack, officials said, according to the Associated Press. The attack took place near a primary school where there are also a number of beer halls in the town of Mubi in Adamawa state, one of the three states under a year-old emergency rule imposed by President Goodluck Jonathan to fight Boko Haram, which seeks to impose Islamic rule in Nigeria. Othman Abubakar, a spokesman for the Adamawa state police, confirmed the explosion but he couldn't say how many people had been killed or injured. David Dauda, who witnessed the blast, said he saw at least 30 bodies following the explosion, according to the AP. "The blast occurred shortly after people are dispersing from a football playing ground. People gathered there to watch a football competition and just few minutes after soldiers patrol vehicle left the place then we heard a blast," Dauda said. The explosion occurred at around 6:45 pm local time when many people were headed home to make a 7:00 pm curfew imposed in the wake of earlier attacks. Nigeria's northeastern region has suffered five years of increasingly deadly assaults by Boko Haram, whose fighters have targeted towns and villages in a string of bomb and gun attacks. At least 2,000 civilians have been killed in such attacks this year alone. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for kidnapping more than 300 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok on April 15. Fifty seven girls are believed to have escaped, which leaves an estimated 272 still held captive. In another attack Sunday evening, also in Adamawa state, suspected Boko Haram members opened fire at people indiscriminately around the town of Madagali, witnesses said. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |