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Late on Tuesday, suicide bombers invaded two mosques in the state of Yobe in Nigeria, killing six people and injuring many others, witnesses said.
The attack has been blamed on Boko Haram, although the terrorist group has not yet claimed responsibility for it.
The first explosion hit an open air Shi’ite mosque in the Dogo Tebo region in the town of Potiskum at 7:55 p.m., causing the deaths of four. A second blast followed five minutes later at a mosque in the compound of chief imam’ of the Anguwar Bolawa area in the town; at least two people were killed in the bombing.
According to eye witness reports, a suicide bomber blew himself up in the open air mosque named Saqafa by worshippers after evening prayers ended. Four bodies were taken to the hospital, while five others were injured in the blast. The body of the bomber was reportedly left untouched by residents in condemnation.
According to local sources, the second blast in the chief imam’s compound took place five minutes later in a similar method. Witnesses spotted the suicide bomber had gone into the mosque during evening prayers, a few moments before a loud explosion rocked the neighborhood. Two dead bodies were seen moved out of the mosque.
Reportedly, most locals consider both blasts the handiwork of Boko Haram.
Following the bombings, the town was put on lockdown with soldiers patrolling the streets and with residents ordered to stay indoors.
The city of Potiskum is the commercial hub of the state of Yobe, and has been the target of several Boko Haram attacks in the past four years. Attacks have, however, become a lot rarer in the past few months.
