A fatal explosion yesterday night ripped through a motor park in Yola, Adamawa state, bringing havoc, death and misery.
The explosion happened at about 8:20 p.m in the Jambutu area of the state capital, although it was not immediately clear whether it was caused by a suicide bomber or an improvised explosive device.
“So far, we’ve recorded about 32 dead and about 80 injured,” said Sa’ad Bello, the Yola coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The Red Cross and state police gave a slightly lower toll of 31 dead and 72 injured.
Red Cross official Aliyu Maikano and residents said the area targeted was a lorry park which also houses a livestock market, an open-air restaurant and a mosque.
The area was immediately cordoned off but poor power supply in Yola meant the rescue effort was conducted in near darkness.
“Victims could be lying all over the place,” Maikano said.
This is happening days after President Muhammadu Buhari visited the city, promising that Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past.
