A 10-year-old girl, strapped with explosives, was among the three suspected members of Boko Haram terrorist group arrested by Nigerian security forces in Katsina on Tuesday.

The suspects, who were arrested about 10:00 p.m. on Zaria Road, Tudun Wada area of Funtua metropolis, were Iliya Dahiru (male), Zainab Musa, 18, and the 10-year-old Hadiza Musa.

Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, made this known while briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

“The suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV. When they were directed to disembark for security checks, 10-year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt and immediately, Iliya and Zainab made attempt to escape with the car, but were later blocked by other concerned Nigerians and subsequently arrested,” Omeri said.

He appealed to parents “to consciously observe and watch their children’s activities, in order to prevent them from participating in unwholesome activities, particularly terrorism.”

Meanwhile, fresh violence has claimed 13 lives in Yobe State as two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers in unmarked vehicles threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the Alkali Kalli and Shakafa mosques in Potiskum. Thirty-five other people were injured.

A source disclosed Wednesday that the suicide bombers who made the attacks on Tuesday by 7: 30 p.m., however, escaped unhurt.

“We were shocked that this mosque was bombed, by Boko Haram suspects in a vehicle. Immediately our imam completed the reading of the Quran in order to continue our prayers, there was a sudden loud blast that shook the entire building. Many of our fellow Muslims were also injured, with some losing their arms and legs, before the soldiers and policemen conveyed the injured to the hospital by 7.45 p.m.,” said the source yesterday in a telephone interview.

A resident disclosed that the suicide bomber that detonated the explosives disguised as performing his ablution.

“Many people were terrified yesterday, after the suicide bomber detonated the explosive behind him, killing some people and injuring 35 others. It was terrible with many of us fleeing for safety, while the injured were taken to hospital by soldiers and policemen,” he said.

The Yobe State Police Commissioner, Markus Danladi, confirmed the incidents, stating that over a dozen people were feared dead in the Potiskum twin blasts.

•Pieced together from reports in Nigerian Tribune and The Guardian.

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