NEMA confirms 27 dead, 96 injured in Jambutu Mosque explosion By Wale Odunsi

About 27 persons died and 96 injured in Friday’s explosion at Jambutu Mosque during Juma’at prayer.

This confirmation was made by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Injured victims were evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Yola and Specialist Hospital Jimeta, Adamawa state.

However, residents say over 100 people died.

Security and hospital sources refused to give a figure but told our correspondent that many people lost their lives.

Audu Hassan, a resident of the area who spoke on phone, said the situation was scary.

“In fact, looking at the corpses is disturbing. Over hundred or more were killed in the explosion, this is sad coming at this time when Yola is about experiencing peace.”

According to him, the attackers came on different side and simultaneously detonated the bombs killing many people who came for the commissioning of the mosque as well as those who came to watch.

The explosion occurred at about 2:00 pm.

A member of the first aid group of Jama’atul Bid’a Wa Ikhamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) Mallam Yusuf Osama said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives shortly after the Friday prayers commences.

“It is a gory scenario, many people were killed in the blast and we are busy evacuating dead bodies and injured victims to hospital.

“The suicide bomber wanted to get access to the main bowl of the mosque so that he will cause massive havoc but before he reaches the building, the bomb detonated.

“The decapitated head of the suicide bomber was lying among the mangled bodies of the victims,” Osama noted.

Another eyewitness on condition of anonymity said a batch of soldiers drafted to the scene have opened fire on the crowd instantly killing about three people.

“When the first batch of soldiers came, they started beating people with horse whips which caused uproar as the worshippers retaliated by pelting the soldiers with stones. The soldiers later fired shots leading to the instant death of many people,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer Adamawa State Police Command, DSP Othman Abubakar said he could not confirm the casualty figure.