Suicide Bomber Kills 23 During Shiite Procession in Nigeria

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Monday, November 03, 2014

A policeman stands next to the point of impact of a suicide bomb along Alkali Road in Kaduna, Nigeria, July 24, 2014. At least 82 people were killed in two suicide bombings in the north Nigerian city of Kaduna, one aimed at opposition leader and ex-president Muhammadu Buhari and another at a moderate Muslim cleric about to lead a crowd in prayer. Kaduna state governor Mukhtar Yero on Thursday lifted a 24-hour curfew imposed on the state after the bombings. | (Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

A suicide bomber launched an attack during a procession of Shiite Muslims killing 23 in Nigeria on Monday.

The Shiite procession was marking the ritual of Ashoura — which marks the death of Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, in a battle more than 1,300 years ago — in northeast Nigeria's Yobe state.

The attacker joined the line of Shiite Muslims before setting off the device as they marched through the market in the town, resident Yusef Abdullahi told Reuters.

"I heard a very heavy explosion as if it happened in my room," he said. "It took place just 200 meters from my house. Another person carrying an explosive that did not go off was arrested."

Mohammed Gana told Reuters that his brother died in the vicious bombing and claims to have counted 23 bodies after the smoke cleared.

Abubakar Saliu, another resident, said soldiers started shooting immediately after the explosion, but it was not clear who they were firing at or if anyone was hit by the gunfire.

The attack took place in Potiskum in Yobe state which is at the heart of an insurgency by Sunni Muslim Boko Haram rebels.

The organization has been campaigning for an Islamic state in the area for the past five years. The organization is now considered one of the biggest threats to Nigeria, which also happens to be Africa's biggest economy and leading oil producer.

The government is engaged in negotiations with the terrorist group to free more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls that were abducted by Boko Haram in April. There have still been several attacks in the region despite the government reaching out to the organization.