18 killed in Nigeria's northern state bomb attack

At least 18 people were killed after a bomb exploded at a football viewing center in Nigerias northeastern state of Adamawa on Sunday, military authorities said on Monday. In a statement made available to Xinhua, Nigerian military spokesman Chris Olukolade said 19 people were also injured in the incident which occurred in Mubi Town of Adamawa, one of three northeastern states under emergency rule since last year. The Sunday night blast struck a crowd in Mubi Town when people gathered at a public place to watch a televised football match. A suspect, who was said to have been identified with the car used in conveying the bomb device, has been arrested by troops in the area. The suspect is being interrogated while further investigation is ongoing, said Olukolade. Olukolade said all injured casualties were immediately evacuated from the scene by rescue officials. The injured persons were taken for treatment to various hospitals in the state. So far no organization has claimed responsibility for the explosion, but local people said it could be an act of Boko Haram, a sect which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria, Africas most populous country. Penultimate Saturday, a similar incident claimed more than 10 lives and injured dozen others in Nigerias central Jos City, capital of Plateau State, when a suicide bomber targeted a football viewing center during the final of 2014 UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Officials said the suicide bombers body was found some 20 meters away from his target. The incident was also blamed on Boko Haram, the violent sect responsible for the recent kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigerias northeastern state of Borno. Irked by Boko Harams insurgency in the West African country, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had, last Thursday, directed the security forces to launch a full-scale military operation to put an end to the impunity of the terrorists, adding the unity and stability of Nigeria, as well as the protection of lives and property, were non-negotiable. He said the activities of terror groups in the country had caused debilitating pains and horror on the nation, particularly the abduction of the school girls. The war against terror may be difficult, but the days of peace will come again, Jonathan assured.Boko Haram says it seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution of Nigeria.