A 10 year old bomber is believed to be behind a suicide bombing in a market in Nigeria, and Boko Haram is suspected to be the responsible terrorist group behind the attack. 19 people were killed in the attack, and many others were injured. The market was crowded when the suicide bombing occurred, This is the same market which has been the scene of two suicide bombings by women late last year, but this time a 10 year old girl was used instead. This attack comes just a week after what many are calling the worst attack in 6 years when the town of Bagan, a fishing community, was attacked by Boko Haram. Bagan and numerous settlements close by were burned to the ground, and more than 20,000 residents were forced to flee the area in order to avoid being slaughtered.
Some who were present in the market believe the 10 year old bomber was just an innocent victim, and that the suicide bombing was remote controlled. Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility yet but the group has a tendency to use women and young girls as suicide bombers. According to civilian vigilante Ashiru Mustapha, who was in the market when the explosion occurred, said “The girl was about 10 years old and I doubt if she actually knew what was strapped to her body. In fact, she was searched at the entrance of the market and the metal detector indicated that she was carrying something. But sadly, the explosion went off before she was isolated.” Abubakar Bakura, another witness, said “The blast split the suicide bomber into two and flung one part across the road. Among the dead are two vigilantes who were searching the girl. I am pretty sure the bomb was remotely controlled.”