There were no other casualties besides the bomber.
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Elected earlier this year, Buhari vowed to focus on the fight against the terrorist group, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS. Last week, bomb and gun raids claimed the lives of more than 200 people, marking the deadliest period since Buhari was sworn in on May 29. Yahaya is the national chairman of the Jama’atu Izalatul Bidia organization, which preaches that all religions should peacefully coexist. Yahaya was unharmed, Sani added.
Boko Haram wants to install an Islamic state across Nigeria, a nation of about 170 million people divided between a predominantly Muslim north and Christian south. The extremists say democracy has brought nothing but woes to Africa’s biggest oil producer and richest economy.
The official count was announced after Governor El-Rufai made a speech at the scene of the attack condemning the acts of terror and praying for the victims.
Sabi’u Bako was picking up a takeout meal when he heard a massive explosion as he walked away with friends.
The blast suspected to have been carried out by terrorist sect, Boko Haram went off at the Government lodge in the area while civil servants were undergoing biometric screening.
On Friday, six female suicide bombers exploded, killing scores, including a soldier at Zabamari Muna village outside Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria and where Boko Haram traces its roots. These attacks included a bombing at an evangelical church that left five people dead.
“We commend the efforts by the Nigerian military, as well as the militaries of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon for the gains they have made fighting against Boko Haram“.
Nigerian-led regional forces have joined together to drive out the Boko Haram, but the militants continue to hold ground in the Sambisa forest reserve while many of its fighters have spread throughout the country. The detainees included about 100 men, 24 women, 18 teenagers and 40 children who had been arrested months ago in northern Nigeria over their alleged ties to the Islamist militant group, according to local media reports.
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Some freed women said they are widows.
