A bomb attack has reportedly occurred in Potiskum, Yobe state.
Witnesses say a suicide bomber targeting members of the Shiite group, Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria, detonated his explosive vest, killing many instantly.
A resident of the town, Adamu Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone that nearly 20 persons were killed and several others injured.
“My sister lost three of her sons in the blast,” he said.
The bombing took place at Faydia Islamic school, ran by the Shiite. It is located near the old market in Potiskum.
The bomber struck when members of the Shiite were gathering to go on a procession to mark the Ashura day
Ashura day is the tenth day of the month of Muharram, the new month of the Islamic calendar.
Shiite Muslims commemorate the day to mourn the death of Hasain Bn Ali, the grand son of Prophet Mohammed who was reportedly killed on that day.
As the faithful were about embarking on the procession, the bomber got into their midst and detonated his bomb, witnesses say.
Potiskum is the largest town outside Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
Although, the town had witnessed several bomb and gun attacks from members of the Boko Haram sect in the past, it has of recent enjoyed relative peace.
That has now been punctured by today’s bombing.
Efforts to speak with the spokespersons of both the Police and the Joint Task Force, JTf, in the state were unsuccessful.