A Muslim religious leader in Potiskum and Emir of Fika escaped a suicide attack on Friday, when the bomber was thwarted by local people before blowing himself up, residents said.
Several people were wounded in the blast in the town of Potiskum, one witness said, as a police official said he was awaiting further details of the attack.
“A man who looked in his 40s … approached the emir and tried to embrace him, but people around pushed him away, and at that moment, a bomb concealed under his caftan went off,” one witness said.
Those wounded included the emir’s bodyguard, a mosque aid worker and a nurse, the witness said. The attack was said to have occurred as worshippers left the mosque following Friday prayers.
There was no immediate claim for the attack, though Potiskum has been hard hit by violence blamed on radical Islamist group Boko Haram.
A top Muslim traditional leader in northeastern escaped a suicide attack on Friday, when the bomber was thwarted by local people before blowing himself up, residents said.
Several people were wounded in the blast outside the main mosque after Friday prayers ended in the town of Potiskum, one witness said, as a police official said he was awaiting further details of the attack.
The target of the attack was Muhammad Abali, the top Muslim traditional leader in Yobe state, where Potiskum is located, and whose official title is the Emir of Fika.
It was the latest such attack targeting Muslim leaders in northern Nigeria, where radical Islamist group Boko Haram accuses establishment Islamic figures of being too close to the country’s corrupt elite.
“A man who looked in his 40s … approached the emir and tried to embrace him, but people around pushed him away, and at that moment, a bomb concealed under his caftan went off,” one witness said.
Those wounded included the emir’s bodyguard, a mosque aid worker and a nurse, the witness said. The attack was said to have occurred as the emir left the mosque near his palace after weekly prayers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though Potiskum has been hard hit by violence blamed on Boko Haram.
“I and my brother were leaving the mosque through a different gate when I heard an explosion followed by a commotion as worshippers tried to flee,” another resident said.
“I fled the mosque, but some minutes later when the news of what happened spread, I came back to the mosque and I saw a large crowd watching the dismembered body of the attacker.”
Some three weeks ago, a suicide bomber tried to assassinate another key Islamic leader outside his mosque after Friday prayers but missed his target and killed five others.
The target of that attack was Umar Garbai el-Kanemi, who carries the title of Shehu of northeastern Borno state, where Boko Haram has been based. Yobe state borders Borno.
On Wednesday, Boko Haram claimed suicide blasts at two police posts in the country’s northwest and a separate attack at a home belonging to Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Twin bombings on Monday in the city of Sokoto, the historic seat of Islam in the country, killed two people and wounded 30 others. The bombers also died in the blasts.
Gunmen had fired on Sambo’s home in the northern town of Zaria on Monday. One civilian was killed in the assault.
No one lives at the house, which is undergoing repairs to damage inflicted during post-election riots in 2011.
Boko Haram has killed hundreds in an insurgency that has been focused in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, with attacks also occurring in the country’s religiously and ethnically divided centre.
The country, Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.
Posted: at 3-08-2012 05:36 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie
jossy4reall at 3-08-2012 06:22 PM (12 years ago) (m)
I C
Love or Hate me its ur Biz, I have more important things to think abt since u never gonna change me
Posted: at 3-08-2012 06:22 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
SAINTKITTS at 4-08-2012 02:38 AM (12 years ago) (m)
Propaganda,last time a suicide bomber targeted Emir in maiduguri but failed, today again a bomber targeted Emir but failed even at close range.either the Boko Haram that kills Christians is different from the one attacking the muslim clerics, or the muslims have the pre-information that the attack would occur,otherwise,all these things are arrangements to make Christians think Boko Haram also attack mosques too, if the suicide bomber got that close to the emir, how come he did not hurt him but when they want to attack churches, most of the explosions takes place outside the churches but we know the impact it has on the church structure, they should stop trying to deceive us,By the way, what is a nurse doing around them? are they expecting injuries nonsense .
GIVE MEANING TO LIFE,NOT WAIT LIFE TO GIVE MEANING,IS LIKE A SAILING USE ANY WIND TO ANY DIRECTION
Posted: at 4-08-2012 02:38 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
Its time for Allah to start his punishment in his Mosques.The Mad men are now targeting the kingship of the North, not only in the holy month of Ramadan,but on a Friday that is meant for his worship.Boko Raham,now u are doing it.Take the war to the sitting room of your sponsors/supporters. Go for other Emirs and sultans. Go for the IBB, the Atikus,the Buharis,the Ciromas and the rest of the northern criminals.More crease to ur elbow,BOKO HARAM But the day u dream coming south that day will mark your end.Southern naija is a no-go area for you guys..the northern leaders have lost it but are scared to say it because they will lose total relevance and become laughing stocks.
SELF-CONFIDENCE IS THE FIRST REQUISITE TO GREAT UNDERTAKINGS.
Posted: at 4-08-2012 02:47 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
People should watch their tongue nd becareful in their statement sending on air. Becouse nobody is yet to conclude on what's root cause of the problems. Because u have the oportunity to have assess to the net and decided to give wrong comment against whom u doesn't know, may be they are the cause of it. Fear God in comments. If u doesn't have job yet use that oportunity to pray to God not to commiting again
Posted: at 4-08-2012 05:33 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
Solidstonez at 4-08-2012 06:27 AM (12 years ago) (f)
Quote from: SAINTKITTS on 4-08-2012 02:38 AM
Propaganda,last time a suicide bomber targeted Emir in maiduguri but failed, today again a bomber targeted Emir but failed even at close range.either the Boko Haram that kills Christians is different from the one attacking the muslim clerics, or the muslims have the pre-information that the attack would occur,otherwise,all these things are arrangements to make Christians think Boko Haram also attack mosques too, if the suicide bomber got that close to the emir, how come he did not hurt him but when they want to attack churches, most of the explosions takes place outside the churches but we know the impact it has on the church structure, they should stop trying to deceive us,By the way, what is a nurse doing around them? are they expecting injuries nonsense .
WELL SPOKEN
I AM WHO I AM, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN BLOODY DO THE OTHER THING AND FCUK ALL HATERZ
Posted: at 4-08-2012 06:27 AM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Propaganda,last time a suicide bomber targeted Emir in maiduguri but failed, today again a bomber targeted Emir but failed even at close range.either the Boko Haram that kills Christians is different from the one attacking the muslim clerics, or the muslims have the pre-information that the attack would occur,otherwise,all these things are arrangements to make Christians think Boko Haram also attack mosques too, if the suicide bomber got that close to the emir, how come he did not hurt him but when they want to attack churches, most of the explosions takes place outside the churches but we know the impact it has on the church structure, they should stop trying to deceive us,By the way, what is a nurse doing around them? are they expecting injuries nonsense .
i feel the same
Posted: at 4-08-2012 08:32 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
omeizad1st at 4-08-2012 09:23 AM (12 years ago) (m)
Either you love it or you hate it and mad at it,Islam for ever and has come to stay.Keep spreading propagandas and lies.You know what,God the Owner guides His religion.Just let the dudes keep crying.Ok
Posted: at 4-08-2012 09:23 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
TRENDING GISTS 
2025 U-20 AFCON: Check Out All 8 Teams That Qualified For Quarter-Finals
Watch Loved-Up Moment Portable's Wife, Ashabi Shared With The Singer (Video)
Police Arrest Suspected Ritualist With Human Organs In Lagos
PHOTOS: Troops Arrest Notorious Gunrunners, Recover Arms In Kaduna