On Monday, dozens of students in Potiskum, Nigeria were killed in an explosion on school grounds. 48 people died and 79 people are injured as a result of the explosion, which was caused by a suicide bomber. Though the identity of those responsible for the attack is uncertain, it is believed that the terrorist group Boko Haram is responsible.
Boko Haram means, “Western education is sinful,” in Hausa. The explosion occurred around 7:30 am in the Government Technical Science college where over 2,000 students gather weekly for an assembly. According to survivors, the bomber was disguised in a school uniform and sat among the students in the assembly before detonating the bomb.
“We were waiting for the principal to address us, around 7.30am, when we heard a deafening sound and I was blown off my feet. People started screaming and running, I saw blood all over my body,” Musa Ibrahim, a seventeen-year-old student, told the Associated Press.
Potiskum General Hospital is tending to the injured. Some have severe injuries that may lead to amputations. Inadequate space in the hospital has forced patients to share beds, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Nigerian police spokesperson, said, “There was an explosion detonated by a suicide bomber.” He also believes that Boko Haram is behind the attack.
The terrorist group is infamous for targeting students in order to discourage them from western education. Nigerian citizens are upset with the government for its lack of ability to protect its citizens and curtail the terrorist attacks that have been occurring for the past five years. For instance, Boko Haram abducted some 200 schoolgirls back in April. Despite efforts towards a ceasefire and negotiation between the Nigerian government and the terrorist group, the attacks on students continue and the abducted 200 remain apart from their families.
