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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Blast near mosque in northeast Nigeria kills four |
| 2011-12-31 |
| [Dawn] An kaboom killed four people in the violence-torn city Nigerian city of Maiduguri as Mohammedan faithful left a mosque after Friday prayers, the military and residents said. The blast comes after a series of Christmas attacks blamed on Islamist sect Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. Currently wearing a false nose and moustache and answering to Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, or Big Louie... killed at least 42 people, most of them outside a Catholic church near the capital Abuja, and raised fears of reprisals from Christians. "There was a loud blast near the mosque just after the Friday prayers as people were trooping out of the mosque," one resident said. "Everybody scampered to safety, leading to a stampede."Another resident, Mohammed Bukar, reported four dead and others maimed. "There was confusion following the blast," he said. "When the dust settled, I saw four dead people being loaded into a vehicle along with some maimed in the blast."A front man for a military task force in the region confirmed the blast but could not immediately provide details. "It's true there was a blast near Monday market while people were leaving the mosque. We don't have details yet," said Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed. Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in Nigeria, most of them in the northeast. The group's targets in that region have included Mohammedan leaders. Thousands have decamped Maiduguri fearing further attacks by Boko Haram and heavy-handed military raids, with soldiers accused of killing civilians and burning their homes after kabooms. |
| Posted by:Fred |