A devastating explosion, suspected to be caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), has rocked the bustling Buni Yadi livestock market in the Gujba local government area of Yobe State, on Friday.

A resident of Buni, Ali Hassan, said the incident “happened around 1:30 this afternoon, injuring a girl hawking sachet water.

Spokesperson of Sector II Joint Task Force in the North-East Operation “Hadin Kai”, Capt. Mohammed Shehu, said the IED was planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, targeting vigilante members.

He said the troops successfully defused another IED planted at the Market.

Also confirming the incident, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, said the 12-year-old victim sustained a fracture in her leg as a result of the explosion.

According to him, the victim is receiving treatment for the injury at a hospital.

He called on the citizenry to always report suspicious persons or objects to security agents for action.

Buni Yadi, is about 54km from Damaturu, the state capital.