Nigeria mosque bombing: At least 50 killed as people arrive for morning prayers

From the Independent and Nigerian newspaper The Vanguard

At least 50 people have died after a suicide bomber struck a Nigeria mosque as worshippers arrived for morning prayers in one of the deadliest attacks in the region in years, police said.

The attack in northeastern Adamawa state was carried out a young man carrying explosives. According to eyewitnesses, suspected suicide bomber carried out the attack around 5 a.m., during the Muslim early morning prayers.

“I counted 27 dead and 49 injured people as they are being evacuated to the hospital,” said one Mubi resident, who simply identified himself as Danladi.

Suspicion fell on Islamist insurgents Boko Haram, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police spokesman Othman Abubakar said the young man detonated his explosives while mingling among the worshippers.

Tuesday’s attack bears all the hallmarks of the terrorist group, whose modus operandi has been attacks on mosques and markets to inflict maximum damage.