Maiduguri attacks: Death toll rises to 100

By Ndahi Marama

MAIDUGURI — THE death toll from last Saturday multiple suicide bomb blasts in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State has risen to over 100, with scores still recuperating at various hospitals for treatment.

Bomb Scene

On Saturday multiple explosions, the Police Commissioner, Clement Adado told journalists that only 54 people were killed, but sources and hospital mortuary attendance, yesterday, revealed that more than hundred people were confirmed dead, as over 50 people, including the female suicide bomber, were killed in the fish market which was the first target of the attacks.

But a source at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital revealed that most of the injured ones brought to the hospital with serious injuries did not survive as they died while receiving treatment yesterday morning. Also at the Umaru Shehu Hospital in Bulumkutu ward of the metropolis, no fewer than seven people died while receiving treatment.

At the State Specialists Hospital, a source claimed that more than 20 dead bodies were brought in from the Monday market attack, while scores of the injured died as a result of excessive bleeding yesterday.

Sources at the Borno express motor park revealed that the male suicide bomber who was in his early 20s attempted to enter the mosque at the BOC motor dealers section, but when he was accosted by someone that it was not yet time for prayer, he quickly turned back to attract dealers as he pretended to be a customer after which he detonated the explosives, killing four dealers and other customers nearby.

Unconfirmed reports also had it that “the death toll of the bomb attack has risen with additional five dead and dozens admitted at the emergency ward out patient department of the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital UMTH as against the earlier death toll of Saturday which stood at 17.

At State Specialists Hospital Maiduguri, an attendant who does not want her name in print told our correspondent that “due to the gravity of injuries of some victims brought into the hospital yesterday (Saturday) and coupled with the excessive bleeding by the victims, scores could not make it overnight. “Many passed away this morning (yesterday) before the doctor on duty conducted routine checks while another victim is also critically lying on bed and if extra care is not taken, he may not survive. Many have however been discharged yesterday and today (Sunday) after treatment”.

She added that “already there is a standing order on free treatment of all victims by the state government. We treat them and government takes care of the bills as usual. We have enough drugs and doctors except that it is weekend and only those on call duty will be available. We did not call any doctor on special call because we have doctors on call duty over the weekend. We even learnt that the governor may be visiting the victims still on bed in the hospital.”

 

Maiduguri attacks: Death toll rises to 100