africatodayonline.blogspot.com -
MAIDUGURI, March 2: A Nigerian Red Cross official says 51 people died in twin car bomb blasts at a marketplace in Maiduguri, the northeastern city that is the birthplace of the country´s terrorist group.
The official, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press, said more people are believed buried in rubble from Saturday night´s explosions.
He said among the dead are children who were at a wedding celebration and others watching a soccer match on an outdoor TV screen.
Survivors at the scene Sunday say they captured and beat up one suspect. A security guard said he died in the hospital.
Vigilante leader Hassan Ali said his group collected 50 corpses.
The blasts are a major setback to a new military offensive against the Islamic uprising.
