Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


              Northeast Nigeria Market Targeted in Deadly Bombing

   by VOA News

   A bomb blast hit a busy market in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday, killing
   at least eight people, and troops announced the arrest of a businessman
   suspected of helping Islamist militants to carry out attacks including
   the kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls.

   Witnesses said the explosion of a suspected vehicle bomb on a road
   adjoining the market in the Borno state capital of Maiduguri wrecked
   cars and taxis which were unloading passengers and wares. They said a
   suicide bomber carried out the attack.

   The explosives used in Tuesday's attack were hidden under a load of
   charcoal in a pickup van, according to witnesses who spoke on condition
   of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

   There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Boko Haram, the
   Islamic extremist group whose birthplace is Maiduguri and which is
   accused of a series of recent bomb attacks in the West African nation,
   was suspected.

   Bombing near market

   An attendant at Maiduguri General Hospital said eight bodies had been
   brought in by civilian volunteers. However, witnesses said dozens could
   be dead, the Associated Press reported.

   "I saw police and troops picking out victims," said Alakija Olatunde, a
   student who rushed to the scene.

   Trader Daba Musa Yobe, who works near the popular market, said the bomb
   went off just after the market opened at 8 a.m., before most traders or
   customers had arrived.

   Other witnesses said they saw about 50 bodies, and that five cars and
   some tricycle taxis were set ablaze by the explosion.

   They said the toll could have been worse but fewer than normal traders
   and customers were around because most people stay up late to eat
   during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

   A security official at the scene confirmed the blast, saying many
   casualties are feared. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he
   was not permitted to speak to the press.

   A year-old government military operation against Boko Haram has so far
   failed to crush the rebels, whose insurgency has killed thousands since
   2009, destabilizing much of the northeast of Africa's top oil producer.

   Arrest in abductions case

   Before the news of the bomb blast, Nigeria's military said it arrested
   a businessman suspected of being at the head of a Boko Haram
   intelligence network that helped plan the abduction of more than 200
   schoolgirls in the northeast in mid-April.

   The man had helped the Islamist militant group plan several attacks,
   including the killing of traditional ruler the Emir of Gwoza, the
   military said in a statement.

   The AP identified the man as Babuji Ya'ari, a businessman.

   Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said in a
   statement reported by the AP that Ya'ari belonged to a vigilante group
   fighting Boko Haram and used that membership as cover "while remaining
   an active terrorist."

   Two women were also arrested as part of the investigation, one of whom
   was accused of coordinating payments to other "operatives."

   It was unclear if the arrest could help in rescuing the girls who
   remain captive.

   The April abduction of 276 school girls from Chibok, 219 of whom remain
   in captivity, has become a symbol of the powerlessness of President
   Goodluck Jonathan's government to protect its civilians.

   Defense spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade said in a statement
   that the arrested man used his membership of a pro-government vigilante
   group "as a cover, while remaining an active terrorist."

   Olukolade said the man had coordinated several deadly attacks in
   Maiduguri since 2011, including on customs and military locations as
   well as planting improvised bombs.

   Increasing violence

   Violence has been relentless in northeast Nigeria in particular, with
   hundreds killed in the past two months.

   Boko Haram has adopted a two-pronged strategy this year of bombings in
   urban areas and scorched-earth attacks in northeastern villages where
   people are gunned down and their homes burned.

   Explosions last week targeted the biggest shopping mall in Abuja,
   Nigeria's central capital, killing 24 people; a medical college in
   northern Kano city, killing at least eight; and a hotel brothel in
   northeast Bauchi city that killed 10.

   On Sunday, the Chibok community was attacked again in three places.
   Militants opened fire on churches and homes, killing dozens and burning
   houses to the ground.

   On Monday, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the recent
   attacks.

   A statement from his office said: "The president assures all Nigerians
   once again that the federal government and national security agencies
   will continue to intensify ongoing efforts to end Boko Haram's
   senseless attacks until the terrorists are routed and totally
   defeated."

   Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/market-in-northeast-nigeria-targeted-
   in-deadly-bombing/1948312.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/market-in-northeast-nigeria-targeted-in-deadly-bombing/1948312.html