Death toll in Nigeria's twin blasts rises to 56

A total of 56 people lost their lives and 177 others were injured in Friday's twin blasts that hit a crowded market in northeast Nigeria, a local official said Saturday.

Lagos, Dec 11: A total of 56 people lost their lives and 177 others were injured in Friday's twin blasts that hit a crowded market in northeast Nigeria, a local official said Saturday.

Yusuf Muhammed, chairman of the local government of Madagali, a district in the northeastern Nigerian state of Adamawa, told reporters in the state capital of Yola that 57 of the injured were in critical conditions, Xinhua reported.

He appealed to the federal and state governments, relevant donors and humanitarian agencies to come to the aid of the injured.

Madagali is located 276 km from Yola. In August 2014, the district was one of several towns seized by terror group Boko Haram, but it was recaptured by the military in March 2015.

Boko Haram has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 2.6 million people since 2009.

After the twin blasts Friday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest security and law enforcement agency.

"The battle against terrorism is a joint effort involving all citizens......Nigerians can and will defeat the evil that is Boko Haram," he said in a message of condolence.

IANS