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Tag: Maiduguri

  • Suicide bombings will end soon – Army

    Suicide bombings will end soon – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday assured that the recent spate of suicide bombings in Maiduguri would soon be a thing of the past.

    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

    Irabor stated that the army had put in place mechanism to end the bombings.

    “I am delighted to be with you again this afternoon to acquaint you with developments within the theater of operation. The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued with the ongoing operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists.

    “Since our last interaction, our troops have conducted many operations with immense successes,’’ he said.

    Irabor said that the army had been able to minimise  impact of the bombings on the public.

    “The impact of recent bombings in Maiduguri, though sad and unfortunate, was minimal due to the alertness of troops and other security agencies.

    “Apart from the one wherein two Civilian JTF personnel were killed and some others wounded, only the terrorists died, while one was captured alive.

    “The captured suicide bomber is assisting in the investigation into cases of suicide bombings.’’

    He said that the continued bombings by the terrorists were a sign of weakness.

    According to him, the incidents are only indicative of a weakened and defeated Boko Haram terrorists, their ignoble adventure is destined to fail totally,’’ Irabor said.

    He advised members of the public to be more conscious and alert to their environment.

    “I wish to remind the general public to be more alert and security conscious with their environment, especially when a strange face comes around.

    “I also commiserate with all the victims of the recent suicide bombings by terrorists within the theatre. We shall continue to work to ensure the safety of lives of every citizen, ” Irabor said.

    He urged Boko Haram remnants to take advantage of a window of opportunity by surrendering their arms.

    “Let me once again use this medium to remind the remnants of Boko Haram that their miserable days are numbered because their future is going to be disastrous if they fail to surrender and lay down their arms.

    “Let me therefore, encourage them to take advantage of this window of opportunity now to surrender as failure to do so would be hugely regretted,” Irabor said.

  • Six dead, several injured in Maiduguri multiple explosions

    Heavy security has been beefed up in and around Maiduguri, the Borno State capital following multiple suicide attacks on the town on Friday.

    The multiple explosions which occurred at  three separate locations in the city left   six persons dead and several others critically injured.

    Our correspondent reports that many residents of Maiduguri have become apprehensive with the resurgence of suicide attacks on the city in the last few weeks.

    Borno state Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu has assured residents not to panic as the security operatives are working very hard to quell the situation.

    The CP who brief journalists on the attacks in Maiduguri on Friday in his office confirmed that the casualty figure stands at six with four suicide bombers, who blew themselves off and two other civilians.

    CP Chukwu said, the first incident happened at the Polo area, when three suicide bombers attempted approaching a mobile police check point.

    “The first attack occurred at Jiddari Polo area, close to the Mobile Police unit, opposite the Federal High Court. Three suspected suicide bombers, two ladies and man, were sighted approaching the direction of police check point.

    “However, before reaching the check point one of the ladies removed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), strapped to her body and handed it over to the other man. While the later was in the process of putting on  the IED on his body, it instantly exploded, killing him and one other female accomplice, while the other lady that removed the explosive from her body survived.

    “The survivor was instantly arrested and subsequently handed over to the military for further interrogation,” he said.

    About the second explosion, the CP explained that “it went off around 8.30am along around-Mafa road, when a man attempted to sneak into the crowded Muna motorpark to wreak havoc but was prevented by vigilante on stop-and-search duty at the entrance.

    “When the suicide bomber realised that he will not get access into the park, he detonated the explosive, strapped to his body. Fortunately, he died alone, with some civilians wounded”,CP Chukwu informed.

    The third incident, Mr. Chukwu, narrated occurred along the Maiduguri-Ngamborou  road, few minutes after the second one when a male suicide bomber was interrogated  by members of Civilian JTF.

    “The vigilante members sighted a man walking in a suspicious manner towards the main entrance gate. They hurriedly accosted him, but unfortunately, he detonated the IED on his body, killing himself and two civilian JTF members”, the CP

     

  • Police foils suicide attacks on Catholic Church in Maiduguri 

    Two suicide bombers were in the early morning of Friday averted from wreaking havoc on Saint Hilary Catholic Church, Maiduguri located at Jidari Polo area.

    The church and the check point where the suicide bombers were apprehended is not far from the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese.

    A security source informed that the bombers were apparently heading for the church targeting early morning worshipers who normally come for morning mass.

    One of the priests who does not want his name mentioned said the sound of the exploded bomb shook the their building and sent everyone in fear of a possible Boko Haram attack.

    “We heard a loud bang which shook our entire building. I thought we were under a Boko Haram attack until I latter found out it was suicide bombers that exploded at the check point,” the priest informed.

    Our Correspondent gathered Student of the  school managed by the Catholic Church Stayed away From coming to school  because of the blast.

    The Borno state police spokesman Victor Isuku who confirmed the incident disclosed that the suicide bombers, two females and one male tried to penetrate a mobile police check point at Jidari Polo but were prevented before one of them blew of herself killing the second bomber while the other female was arrested.

    He also added that normalcy has been restored in the area after police EOD successfully diffuse the live IEDs on the bodies of the dead suicide bombers.

    Mr.  Isuku said, “By 3:50am today,  mobile police personnel on guard duty  opposite the federal high court, sighted three suspected suicide bombers (2females & a male) running towards their sandbag. They ordered them to a halt for questioning.

    “In the process, one of them detonated the IED strapped to her body, killing herself and one other male accomplice. The other female survivor was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the military for further exploitation and necessary follow up actions.

    “Police bomb disposal units also mobilized to the scene to detonate unexploded IEDs on the bodies of the deceased suicide bombers.

    “The second bang was as a result of the demolition of the remaining IEDs by police EOD units. Normalcy has already been restored,” Isuku explained.

  • Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    Boko Haram remnants are foreigners, says Buratai

    …UN commends Nigeria Army

     

     

    Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has disclosed that 60 percent of the Boko Haram elements operating in the north east region especially on the fringes of Sambisa Forest including the Lake Chad Basin are foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen Buratai said the information is based on intelligence report extracted from most of the insurgents that were recently captured by the army are discovered to be foreigners.

     

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who disclosed this in Maiduguri Thursday while playing host to the Special Representatives of Secretary General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn- Chambas who was on a solidarity visit at the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital noted that the renewed onslaught by Boko Haram will not deter the Army from prosecuting the war to against the insurgents to the end.

     

    He commended the world body for the support given to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) especially at its earlier formation when he was the pioneer commander, adding that, MNJTF has achieved a lot in the fight against terrorism due to the solid foundation that was laid.

     

    The Chief of Army Staff thanked Mr. Ibn Chambas and his entourage for the visit, stressing that, “the UN is committed to achieving global peace, that is why it has committed a lot of efforts and resources in assisting the north east”, while promising the readiness of the Nigerian Army to partner with the UN in restoring peace to the north east region.

     

    In his response, Mr. Chambas commended Nigerian Army for being very professional through the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that, “your conduct has been exemplary and it’s in line with international best practices”.

     

    He noted that the UN has consistently condemned the activities of Boko Haram in the region, while praising the neighboring countries for joining hands to fight a common enemy. 

    Mr.  Chambas also informed that the UN is very much conscious of the hardship experienced by the people in the course of the crisis, just as he promised to continue to collaborate with other NGOs in reducing the sufferings of the people.

     

    He also extended his gratitude to Borno State Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other humanitarian agencies working in the state to bring succor to the displaced people, promising that the UN will do everything possible to support, rehabilitate and resettle the victims of insurgency.

     

    He commiserated with the Army over the recent killing of soldiers in the frontline by Boko Haram.

    “The UN want to sympathize with the Nigerian Army over the unfortunate incident that took place recently in Malam Fatori where Lt. Col. Abu Ali, six soldiers as well as other officers and men who died and paid a supreme price on the hands of insurgents.

     

    “I want to thank the Chief of Army staff and governor Kashim Shettima to host me in Borno, and i urged you (military) not to relent in your gallant effort to degrade remnants of insurgents and restore peace on the land,” Mr.  Chambas said.

     

    Mr. Chambas was accompanied on the visit by some high profile UN diplomats.

  • Borno Police confirms nine killed in fresh car explosion

    Borno Police confirms nine killed in fresh car explosion

    The police in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital has confirmed another fresh car explosion on Tuesday at Gubio road in Maiduguri.
    The Police State Public Relation Office, DSP Victor Isuku told our correspondent that “There was an explosion today along Gubio road just before the military checkpoint.

    “According to the preliminary report, a pickup van with nine persons onboard, emerged from a bush path to join the road to Gubio town, when it exploded killing all the persons,” DSP Isuku said.

    Today’s blast is the fifth in a wake of recent bomb attacks within and around Maiduguri in the last three weeks.
  • Suicide attacks: NEMA urges Borno residents, IDPs, to be more vigilant

    Suicide attacks: NEMA urges Borno residents, IDPs, to be more vigilant

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday advised Borno residents, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to be more vigilant, following increased suicide attacks targeted at the displaced persons in Maiduguri.

    Malam Muhammad Kanar, the North East Coordinator of the agency, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Kanar said that the attacks were a sign of desperation by the Boko Haram insurgents to cause havoc in the IDP camps.

    “It is true that they have been trying all these while to gain access into the city and wreak havoc, but the security agents have been up and doing in preventing them.

    “Those that came in on Saturday were the first two and then today we had another one that was detected early enough by the security agents, ” he said.

    Kanar said that residents must collaborate with the security agents by being more vigilant to prevent future attacks.

    “This is the kind of challenge we sometimes face in carrying out humanitarian service.

    ” But definitely, we have confidence in the military and other security agents, the challenges shall come to pass,” he said.

    NAN recalls that nine persons were killed in a twin suicide attacks in Maiduguri on Saturday while another suspected suicide attack was foiled by the military on Sunday near the scene of that of Saturday.

  • Twin explosions kill nine, injure 24 in Maiduguri

    Twin explosions kill nine, injure 24 in Maiduguri

    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.

  • Update: Nine killed, scores injured in Maiduguri twin- suicide attack

    Update: Nine killed, scores injured in Maiduguri twin- suicide attack

    At least nine persons were killed following an early morning twin bomb attack in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, a rescue official has said.
    The source also added that about 84 persons have sustained various degrees of injuries in the blasts.
    Residents of Maiduguri were shocked with fear as the sound from the blast resonated far into other areas of the town.
    It was learnt that the first blast went off at about 7a.m. near the Bakassi IDP camp as the suicide bomber was trying to gain his way into the camp to detonate his IED ridden body.
    Just after thirty minutes from the first blast, the second one went off from a tricycle driving close to the NNPC Depot at Damboa Road.
    An official of the International Committee of the Red Cross who does not want his name mentioned because he is not authorized to speak to the press informed that 10 deaths were recorded in the blasts with 29 injured people brought into their facility for treatment.
    The Borno State Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu who was at the scenes of the two blasts very early later addressed the press in his office.

    He said “the incident occurred at about 06.55 hours at the Bakasi IDPs Camps at Maiduguri-Biu Road. The suicide bomber targeted people after the early morning prayers where he went a joined some group of people and detonated his explosive device. In that incident,, 6 persons including the suicide bomber were killed with many people sustain injuries.”

    The Acting GOC, 7 Division, NA Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu has already visited the scenes of the bomb blasts and assured the people of absolute security and peace in the areas.
    He urged them to be calm as concerted efforts are being made to beef up security in the places towards the safety of lives and property of the people.

  • Chibok community goes agog as FG confirms release of girls

    Chibok community goes agog as FG confirms release of girls

    Reports from Chibok Community says, the entire community is in celebration mood as news of the release of some of their abducted girls by Boko Haram has been confirmed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, a source from Chibok has said.

    Though some of the parents are still not sure  whether their children are among the batch of the released girls notwithstanding they could not stop in joining in the celebration of the news.
    Investigation reveals that Other communities like Ymir Ali, Njoma, Gwandan Rimirgu, Mikabu as well as Chanchan bulguma in Askira Uba axis of  southern Borno went on wild jubilation on hearing the cheering news of the release.
    The Senior Special Advise to President Mohammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu confirmed the release of the girls on Thursday morning through a social media post.
    “The names of the released girls follow shortly,” Shehu said.
  • Maiduguri car explosion kills eight

    Maiduguri car explosion kills eight

    Barely 24 hours after Boko Haram killed  about five villagers at the outskirts of Maiduguri on Tuesday, MAIDUGURI today is yet hit with a car suicide explosion which has claimed eight life and 15 people injured.

    The explosion which involved a Volkswagen Golf car at Muna Garage Junction in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, was said to have been concealed in the car overnight as passengers unknowingly boarded the vehicle which was about taken off from the garage when the prime IEDs went off, a NEMA official who does not want his name explained.

    “We have evacuated eight dead bodies, and fifteen injured persons to the general hospital Maiduguri, ” the NEMA official informed. The incident according to an eye-witness who did not want his name mentioned in print said,

    Isa Alhaji, who escaped the explosion by whisker informed The Nation that many people were seriously wounded in the blasts, “I fear that the death toll may rise”, he said.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Borno State Command, ASP Victor Isuku confirmed the blast in a statement, insisting that all the five occupants of the vehicle were killed.

    Mr. Isuku informed officials of Police Anti-bomb Squad, men of the Civilian JTF and other humanitarian agencies like National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA were quickly mobilized to the scene to evacuate both the charred bodies of the dead and the injured ones to the hospital.

    Confirming the incident, Isuku said, “At about 08:30hours, there was an IED explosion onboard a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA, body S/No RTEAN 7179 taxi colour carry 5 passengers (4 females and a male driver), by Muna along Maiduguri /Gamboru Ngala road. The explosion occurred when the taxi was attempting to join the convoy of other vehicles heading to Gamboru town.

    “The suicide bomber who is reasonably believed to be one of the female casualties was picked along the road.