Suicide attack on mosque in Nigeria kills 11
Attack in northeastern Borno State occurred hours before polls were due
By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS Nigeria
Police have confirmed 11 people dead in early Saturday morning suicide attacks inside a mosque in Nigeria's northeastern Borno State.
The attacks in Gwozari/Kushari area of state capital Maiduguri were carried out by two suicide bombers and a gunman, all believed to be Boko Haram militants who have waged a violent insurgency in the region since 2009.
“Eleven people including three bombers died while 15 others sustained injuries and are currently hospitalized at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri,” Borno Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said in a statement read to reporters in Maiduguri.
The suicide attacks occurred just hours before Nigeria's general elections were due to commence. The polls have now been delayed for logistics reasons.
The latest incident came four days after militants waylaid the convoy of the state Governor Kashim Shettima, killing at least three persons including a soldier.
