Borno Suicide Attack Survivor – A 90-year-old internally-displaced person, IDP, Zahrah Musa, yesterday, rushed to save her N300 potatoes, minutes after she escaped a bomb attack in Maiduguri, Borno State.
It was gathered that while fellow IDPs kept a safe distance from the scene of the bombing, Zahrah searched her burnt tent in an effort to recover the potatoes.
The woman, who kept saying “I am very hungry,” ignored emergency rescue workers from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, who tried to stop her.
Zahrah, who was wounded in the explosion, insisted that getting back her food was of paramount importance to her.
When it became obvious she would not budge, a NEMA official had to carry her in his hands to a mobile ambulance to treat her bleeding legs.
In spite of her condition, the woman continued to protest, saying she must be allowed to get back her potatoes, which she bought the previous day for N300.
The scene of the early morning attack at Muna Park was an unofficial IDP camp, where people live on their own without access to the food rations provided by the government and other support groups.
However, Mr. Satomi Ahmed, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, revealed that the state government would provide relief materials to those living in such camps. He said: “So far, seven people were killed, including the three suicide bombers, while 18 IDPs were severely injured.
“The injured were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for proper medical attention.”
