Tag: Explosions

Suicide bombers struck yesterday in Maiduguri for the second time in three weeks, killing no fewer than nine people.

Among the dead were the two female suicide bombers. Twenty four other residents were wounded in the twin attacks. They were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The first explosive went off at the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at about 7am, when one of the bombers tried to enter the camp holding more than 16,000 refugees.

Military spokesman, Colonel Mustapha Anka said: “A suspected female suicide bomber ran into a group of men and women at the entrance while they were coming out of the camp, killing five men and injuring 11 women.”

The second blast, about one kilometer away, followed about 30 minutes later when a tricycle taxi carrying two passengers exploded close to the NNPC Depot  on Damboa Road.

The bomber was driving the taxi and following a fuel tanker “with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualty,” Anka said.

Most of the victims were said to be women who were on their way to  the farm.

Anka in a statement said: “At about 7.05am this morning (yesterday), there were twin simultaneous suicide bomb explosions at the entrance of Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and NNPC Mega Filling Station, Damboa Road, Maiduguri.

“At the Bakassi IDPs camp, a suspected female suicide bomber ran into group of men and women at the entrance while they were coming out of the camp, killing five men and injured 11 women. The bodies of dead men and the injured women have been evacuated.

“At the NNPC, a female suicide bomber followed a fuel tanker in Keke NAPEP tricycle with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualty but was prevented from gaining access to the station by another vehicle. In that process, the suicide bomber exploded killing the three occupants of the tricycle. No reported injured persons at this instance.

“Troops and security agencies have been mobilized and the injured have been evacuated while efforts are ongoing to comb the general area as well as entries and exits of Maiduguri.

“While we commiserate with the families of the late victims of this cruel act and wish those injured speedy recovery, we would like to assure the public that efforts are on going to track those behind the dastardly acts. However, it is equally important to reiterate the need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. Citizens are enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the security agencies.”

Three weeks ago, an explosion killed eight and wounded 15 persons at the Muna garage, Maiduguri after a suicide bomber joined a cab before detonating the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing herself and other occupants.

Spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Maiduguri, Abdulkadir Ibrahim confirmed the efforts of rescue and health workers in the evacuation of wounded victims to hospitals for treatment while the bodies of the victims have been deposited in the mortuary.

The Police in Borno State have confirmed that 54 people were killed and over 95 injured in the multiple explosions that hit Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday night.

Police Public Relations Officer Victor Isuku said the attacks bore the hallmark of suspected Boko Haram insurgents. No group has however claimed responsibility for the action.

Isuku said  the suspected Boko Haram terrorists simultaneously detonated four separate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a mosque and a viewing center in Ajilari T-junction of Maiduguri metropolis.

There are conflicting reports on the figures as eyewitnesses  put the figure of the death toll at over  60 with more than  95 injuries.

Some hospital sources corroborated the fatality of  over 60.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “We would like to state that the Nigerian military would not be deterred in its determined efforts of defeating Boko Haram terrorists in the shortest possible time.

“We would like to assure the public also that the terrorists have shown their ugly presence  in such areas, there is need for more vigilance, security consciousness and prompt reporting of suspicious persons or group of persons in their midst. This would enable the security against take appropriate measures against them.”

“The four explosives were planted by the fleeing suspected terrorists from Sambisa Forest. They could have sneaked into these areas about a week or two to plant these bombs in this mosque and other soft targeted areas of a local market and other strategic locations,” Sani said, adding that a suspect also threw a grenade at the viewing centre from an unmarked vehicle.

An anonymous security guard attached to the viewing centre, also told The Nation  that the suspected bombers sneaked into Gomari ward through the rear and south flank of Ajilari area.

“These insurgents could have crossed River Ngadabul, with the explosives, before planting some of them at our mosque that killed 18 people and this night local market. These gunmen are fleeing the forests, because of the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole by the military,” said a member of CJTF, Tanimu  Ibrahim.

He said nine of his colleagues, were also killed, while patrolling the Gomari and Ajilari areas of Maiduguri.

“Yesterday’s attacks on this mosque, viewing centre and other targets were coordinated by fleeing insurgents; and claimed the lives of many of our colleagues, who are already hospitalized at the State Specialists Hospital and Umaru Shehu Hospital, Bulunkutu,”, Tanimu said.

Ajilari cross and Bintu Sugar are located at outskirt of Maiduguri. Both settlements have witnessed series of Boko haram attacks including bombings of football viewing centre in no distant past.

Another eyewitness, a survivor in one of the attacks informed that the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in different directions at about 7:38pm, with the fourth one which was more deafening took place at about 8pm.

He said, the first incident occurred at a local Ram Market near Ajilari Railway Crossing, while other took place at a telecommunication service point where many people gather to buy/sale GSM recharge cards and other petty businesses.

Another eyewitness disclosed that , the first blast  at the Ajilari Railway crossing claimed 7 lives including  members of the Civilian JTF.

Our Correspondent gathered that apart from the Ajilari Railway crossing blast, 18 people mostly worshippers were killed at a mosque where some of the insurgents driving in a golf vowkswagen Saloon threw an Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDs) at the Mosque  while Muslim faithful were in their  Magrib  prayers.

The 8pm blast was said to have targeted a football viewing centre while at the popular telecommunication service point, 15 people were killed including others that also lost their lives at a public gathering in Hausa (Majalisa) with 95 of those who sustained severe injuries in the four blasts.

Speaking on yesterday’s incident, the