By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
At least five people were reportedly killed on Sunday after a young female suicide bomber blew himself up in Nigeria's northeastern town of Potiskum.
"Four people were killed alongside the girl, about nine years old, who blew herself up at a communication accessory market this afternoon," Abdulazeez Umar, a local resident, told The Anadolu Agency.
Umar said the blast also injured several others who have been evacuated to the hospital by security forces and responders.
Mustapha Potiskum, a Muslim cleric in the town, confirmed the blast which he said occurred shortly after the afternoon prayer.
"We heard that the girl blew herself as she gained entrance into the market," he told AA. "She died along with four others while about 10 others were injured."
Police have confirmed the incident but did not have further details at the moment.
"The blast occurred at the entrance of the market," Toyin Gbadegesin, a police spokesman, told AA. "She couldn't gain entrance before she detonated the device."
Potiskum has repeatedly been targeted by suicide bombers suspected to be Boko Haram operatives.
At least two blasts have occurred in the town this year alone.
Last year, the town was rocked by at least four suicide attacks that left several people dead.
