Female suicide bomber hits college in Niger

Two days after a suicide bomb attack killed about 50 secondary school students in Potiskum, Yobe State, another suicide bomber, a female, yesterday, attacked another school, the Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State some 150 kilometres (90 miles) from the state capital, Minna.

This is just as the Senate has summoned all Service Chiefs to explain why Boko Haram appears to be having the upper hand.

There were conflicting reports on casualty figures of yesterday’s attack in Kontagora. An account said no fewer than 10 persons died in the attack, others said only the female suicide bomber died while two others were injured and were receiving treatment at Kontagora General hospital.

The incident caused panic among residents of the town as they started running helplessly and confused. Ahead of the decision of the college, many resident students vacated their hostels and took refuge in the town.

It was gathered that the female bomber was heading for the hall where many of the students were sitting for their examination but got the timing wrong as the explosive she was carrying exploded in front of the school library, few metres to the targeted hall.

Two others whose identity were yet to be ascertained sustained injuries and were rushed to the general hospital in Kontagora for treatment.

Niger State police spokesman, Ibrahim Gambari confirmed the blast by telephone from Minna. He said commanders were awaiting further details from officers on the ground.