Suicide bombers attack bus stations in northeastern Nigeria

Suicide bombers on Wednesday carried out attacks on bus stations in two towns in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 27 people.

According to the BBC, the attacks took place in separate bus stations in the town of Potiskum and Kano.

The BBC reported that witnesses saw the suicide bomber trying to board a bus in Potiskum's Dan-Borno bus station before detonating his explosives. The blast completely destroyed the bus as well as damaged other vehicles nearby, the witnesses said. 17 people died in the incident and 30 were injured.

In a separate attack, two suicide bombers were disembarking from a vehicle in the Kano Line bus station when they detonated their explosives. 10 people were killed.

The two towns are 360 kilometers apart. Potiskum is the main commercial hub in Nigeria's state of Yobe, and has repeatedly been targeted by attacks attributed to Islamist radical group Boko Haram.

On Sunday, a child suicide bomber entered and detonated her explosives in a marketplace in Potiskum. The bombing killed five people, and injured dozens of people.

The Guardian reported that the child is thought to be around 7 years old.

"We sent her back four times, because given her age, she did not have anything to do in the market," local vigilante leader Buba Lawan said.  

"When we were screening people, she bent and tried to pass under the ropes, some distance from our view. That was when the explosives went off," he added.

Yesterday's attacks and Sunday's bombing are the third and second attacks by suicide bombers in Potiskum. On January 11, two suicide bombers also targeted the market and killed six people, while injuring 37 others.

Boko Haram has not yet released a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks, but President Goodluck Jonathan has blamed the militant group in a statement.

related articles
Nigeria: ten dead in suicide bomb attack
Nigeria: ten dead in suicide bomb attack

Nigeria: ten dead in suicide bomb attack

Nigeria: Boko Haram vows to derail elections
Nigeria: Boko Haram vows to derail elections

Nigeria: Boko Haram vows to derail elections

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.