Maiduguri residents woke up yet with another bomb blast on Sunday at a market within the metropolis.
At least four persons were reportedly injured with one losing a whole arm in the explosion, witnesses disclosed.
The blast occurred at a market called Kasuwan-Gamboru near the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service.
An eyewitness said the bomb exploded at about 1pm when most of the traders were gearing up for the day’s business.
According Hasimu Bello, the bomb must have been buried on the spot the prvious day.
“It was suspected to have been buried near the spot where charcoal traders use to sell coals. But we are believing that they buried the explosives maybe yesterday,” :Hashimu said.
He further informed that four people got injured with one of the victims arm completely severed off.
“Four persons sustained injury; but one has more serious injury because one of his arm was cut off by the bomb,” he informed.
Tag: Maiduguri
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Another bomb blast injures 4 in Maiduguri market
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Suicide bomber kills 16 in Maiduguri market mosque attack
A suicide bomber has hit a mosque in the Maiduguri Monday Market killing 16 people, according to witnesses.
The bomber, a young man who disguised as a wheelbarrow pusher loaded with fruits attacked the mosques when worshippers had gathered for their afternoon prayers on Saturday.
About 30 people were reported to have been wounded in the blast.
The blast which vibrated across the city occurred at about 3:30pm.
Abubakar Adamu, a trader at the market gave his account the attack that “the young man was pushing a wheelbarrow and when he came near the mosque, he pretended he wanted to join us in observing the late afternoon prayers; as he parked the wheelbarrow, and went to the entrance of the already filled mosque the bomb went off.”
Adamu said he escaped because he was yet to finish his ablution before joining the prayers when the incident occurred.
“I was still performing my ablution when that incident happened. I had to take to my heels even though the sound of the blast had almost rendered me deaf,” he said.
A Civilian Joint Task Force source informed that the blast occurred when the prayer session was about to commence at about 3.25pm with over five dozen of people in the mosque.
“We were shocked and terrified with the loud explosion that rocked through the market and other shops when the prayer session was cut off short; for people to flee for safety. But many were injured in the stampedes for safety, as there was no deaths recorded in the mosque, as the injured ones were taken to hospital for treatment,” he said.
Another eyewitness Hamisu Babayo a shop owner near the mosque, also told our correspondent that the Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) was hidden in an obscure corner of the mosque in the morning before the suicide bomber came to the mosque to detonate the explosive at about 3.30pm.
Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima was quick to visit the scene of the incident to assess the damage himself, just as market officials told him that 16 people were killed on the spot of the attack.
Shettima condemned the act, and commiserated with the families of those affected by the blast.
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Boko Haram launches fresh attack on Maiduguri
Barely 24hrs after the take over of the Mohammadu Buhari administration and the successful swearing ceremony of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, the Boko Haram insurgents made a daring attempt to lunch a heavy attack on Maiduguri metropolis.
Our correspondent reports that residents of the town were thrown into fear early as heavy bombardment between the insurgents and security rocked the town for over three hours on Friday night through Saturday morning.
There are indications that scores of people may have died in the exchange of gunfire between the insurgents and the military as details of the attack are still sketchy.
Adamu Hamza, a resident of Bulunkutu area in Maiduguri told our correspondent that the neighbourhood had a terrible experience as the insurgents tried to penetrate Maiduguru from Dala village.
There were reports that the insurgents engaged the security firing Rocket Propelled Grenades in the town, which according to Hamza is ” why there may be heavy casualties because I learnt some of the grenade torched people’s houses,”
Another source informed that heavy explosions has left four residents dead, several other injured and houses destroyed.
“The terrorists came prepared to take over the town but after realizing the heavy fire power from troops, started firing their rocket Launchers into the city, which led to the killing of a taxi driver, Mallam Bukar around Borehole area of Gomari airport of Maiduguri, while the three other residents died in different locations”, the source said.
Another Resident of Gomari who shared fence with one of the victims said part of their fence was destroyed from the grenade that failed on their house.
An inpecable security source informed that “the terrorists were sighted around a village near Dala and outskirts of Maiduguri which has a link road to Sambisa Forest”
The source however claimed that many of the terrorists were killed in the botched attack by troops.
So far there is no official statement from the 7 Division Nigerian Army Maiduguri. -
3 soldiers, 6 vigilante group members killed in Maiduguri attack
Details of Wednesday evening attack on Maiduguri by Boko Haram have begun to emerge from some unofficial sources.
Information available to The Nation indicate that the insurgents were armed to the teeth in a daring attempt to lunch a heavy onslaught on the 21 armoured brigade which witnessed a similar dastard attacked on 14th March, 2014.
A security source informed that a large number of the insurgents died during the attack including three soldiers and six members of the vigilante otherwise called civilian JTF.
A member of the civilian JTF who does not want to be mentioned disclosed that some three female suicide bombers who pretended to be stranded in the ensuing fight caused the death of their six members when they were offered help.
Some three wicked women who were pretending to be caught in the fight requested help and when some of the vigilantes decided to help them, they detonated their bodies which were ridden by explosives. That suicide attack killed six of our members. You can see the dimension of this crisis. Our men offered to help out of sympathy and they got killed in the process,” the source informed.
He added that about 12 of their members were injured in the suicide attack, added that he saw three soldiers dead. He also informed that many of the insurgents were killed as they were trying to penetrate Giwa Barrack through Kayamla village.
Official details of the attack are yet to be released as no official statement has been made available by the 7 Division Maiduguri apart from the 24hr curfew announced this morning by Col. Tukur Gusau, Deputy Director Army Public Relation.
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Army imposes 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri
A dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital following Wednesday’s attempted attack by the Boko Haram insurgents on the city.
The army described the decision as a measure to protecting lives and property in the city.
The statement was signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relation 7 Division Maiduguri Col. Tukur Gusau and made available to newsmen by, Gov. Shettima’s spokesman Isa Gusau called on the people to cooperate with security agencies, maintaining that the situation has been brought under control.
The two paragraphs statement reads: “In view of the recent development within Maiduguri metropolis a 24hr curfew is hearby imposed in the city. This is done to protect lives and property of innocent and law abiding people of maiduguri.
“The Nigeria Army wish to once again thank you for your continuous support and cooperation. The situation is firmly under control,” the statement reads. -
Detained Al-jazeera journalists freed in Maiduguri.
The two Al-jazeera ý journalists who were arrested and detained in Maiduguri have regained their freedom.
They were let off yesterday, The Nation gathered.
Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha who arrived Maiduguri apparently to cover the March 28 presidential election were detained by soldiers for loitering with their cameras in restricted areas without permission ýof the security agencies.
The Special Adviser to Governor Shettima Kashim on Media, Mr. Isa Gusau wrote on his Facebook page that; “detained Al-jazeera journalists freed. Both men currently at Government Lodge, Maiduguri.ý Gov. Kashim asked that they be relocated to the hotel where they were confined. All is well”.
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34 killed, 42 injured in Maiduguri explosion
ANOTHER bomb went off yesterday in Maiduguri, the troubled Borno State capital.
The explosion occurred as residents were struggling to free themselves from the hangover of last weekend’s multiple bombings.
The scene of yesterday’s blast is the famous Monday Market where no fewer than 34 people died and 42 others injured.
A commercial driver who dropped passengers just before the El-Kanami Roundabout near the market, Hamisu, said: “I was in my car (a Volkswagen Golf), dropping three passengers that I picked from Gomari straight to Kasuwa through the Post Office peacefully and smoothly. When the last passenger was alighting from the car, I heard a heavy, strange sound that shook everywhere and everything around.”
He went on: “Immediately we saw heavy black smoke opposite us at the small entrance of the Monday Market near the El Kanemi Roundabout by the Mai Nono(fresh cow milk) place where these Fulani women sell nono, fresh cow milk around 4.47 pm.
“I was terribly scared and could not even move an inch from my car, shivering for some minutes before I started my car and drove away.
“When I took the other way out of the scene, I saw soldiers and civilian JTF rushing to the scene. People were running up and down, confused and terrified. Some were pushing others down – all out of confusion and fear.
Mustapha Idi, a civilian JTF member, described the attack as “deadly and terrible”.
He said: “We have so far been able to carry about 30 bodies to the hospital and over 30 seriously injured people, apart from those who ran away from the scene, wounded and those that went to the hospital on their own.”
A hospital source said: We have 34 deaths and 42 wounded people. The ambulance vans are coming.”
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58 killed, 139 injured in Maiduguri multiple blasts
•Governor cancels campaign
At least 58 people lay dead yesterday in Maiduguri after five coordinated bomb blasts in separate parts of Borno State capital.
The attacks bore the hallmarks of the terror sect, Boko Haram.
The blasts immediately sparked confusion and a traffic gridlock in the city.
The first attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber at the Baga fish market at about 11:20 am, said Abubakar Gamandi, the head of the fisherman’s union in the metropolis.
“A female suicide bomber exploded as soon as she stepped out of a tricycle taxi,” said Gamandi, who was at the scene. “Eighteen people were killed.”
That account was supported by a nurse at the Maiduguri General Hospital, where many of the victims were taken.
An eye witness , Abdullahi Garba said: “a tricycle driver was trying to force his way into the market at top speed when the blast occurred from the tricycle.
“The spot was crowded at the time which explained why so many people died,” he said.
About an hour later another bomb blast hit the popular Monday Market, killing 15 people and close to the scene of the November 2014 blast which killed scores of people.
A vigilance group member, Salisu Yayaý, claimed to have counted five ambulances that evacuated victims from the scene.
It was not immediately clear whether the second attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
“For now, we have at least 33 dead bodies from the two incidents…the toll may change because we are expecting more casualties,” said Gamandi.
The first two attacks were confirmed by Justice Commissioner Kaka Shehu, but he declined to provide casualties figures until rescue workers had completed their searches.
Shortly after 1:00 pm a third bombing occurred at the busy Borno Express bus terminal.
“We condemn these acts in their entirety and we extend our condolences to the victims,” Shehu said.
“The terrorists are angry with the way they were sacked from towns and villages and are now venting their anger,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police Clement Adoda confirmed the number of deaths to be 58 while 139 were injured.
Shehu was referring to an ongoing offensive against Boko Haram in Borno state being waged by Nigeria and Chad, with support from Cameroon and Niger.
The Chief Medical Director of Borno State Specialists Hospital, Dr Salisu Kwaya Bra, told reporters that more than 50 died in the attacks.
“So far 50 dead bodies have been received here from the three blasts and 36 injured persons are receiving treatment at our Accident and Emergency unit,” he said.
But another source at the mortuary said 47 bodies were brought to the morgue, and more than 60 were injured. He lamented that the number of the injured and dead victims was a massive challenge for the hospital.
“Our facilities are overwhelmed; we couldn’t take all the injured persons. Some of them have been taken to the University Teaching Hospital and others to Umaru Shehu Hospital and other private hospitals as the situation permits,” the source said.
The four-nation offensive against Boko Haram has claimed major successes over the insurgents since the start of last month, and analysts have said that Boko Haram would likely step up bombings on civilian targets in response.
The sect has increased suicide bombings and village attacks recently as forces from Nigeria and Chad have driven the insurgents from a score of towns along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.
Its members have attacked villages in Cameroon and Niger as Nigeria’s neighbors are forming a multinational force to confront the spreading uprising.
Chad’s President Idris Deby last week said his forces know the whereabouts of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and warned him to surrender or face certain death.
Boko Haram fighters are massing at their headquarters in the northeastern town of Gwoza, in apparent preparation for a showdown with multinational forces, according to witnesses who escaped from the town.
An intelligence officer said they were aware of the movement but that the military is acting with care as many civilians still are trapped in the town and Boko Haram is laying land mines around it. Consequent upon yesterday’s bomb blasts, Governor Kashim Shettima decided to cut short his political campaigns in the southern part of the state
He condemned the attacks as heinous.
The governor, through his media aide, Malam Isa Gusau, sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead.
He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and promised that government would foot their medical bills and provide every assistance necessary for the victims of both the dead and the injured.
Gusau said:”The Governor has, immediately after getting information about the incidence, directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice whose Ministry deals with citizens’ rights, to visit all affected areas and ensure speedy evacuation of victims to hospitals and mobilize medical doctors for emergency treatments that will be shouldered by the State Government. The, Governor directed that all necessary steps be taken to safe lives where possible no matter what is required.”
Gov. Shettima also regretted that the attacks happened when residents of the city were adjusting to normal life with the recent success stories over the fight against the insurgency.
“Governor Shettima was visibly troubled by the unfortunate bomb blast which came at a time citizens of Borno were already adjusting to normal lives following successes being recorded by the combined efforts of the military, other security agencies and youth volunteers called the civilian JTF involved in ongoing counter insurgency operations in different parts of the State.
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Huge crowds receive Buhari in Maiduguri
•Shehu seeks action against Boko Haram
Thousands of residents poured onto the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday to receive Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate accompanied by his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was in the city, which houses almost one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from parts of the state under the control of Boko Haram, to launch his campaign for the March 28 presidential poll.
The crowd was so huge and affectionate that the APC team, which also included National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Campaign Director-General Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Mr. Audu Ogbe, Senator Lawal Sha’aibu, Alhaji Umar Faruk Aliyu, Senator Hadi Sirika, APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, Gen. Lawan Dambazau and Hadiza Bala Usman, could not speak at the rally.
At the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn Umar El- Kanemi, the traditional ruler urged Gen. Buhari to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency, if elected.
The Shehu said the destroyed communities by Boko Haram in the Northeast should be built to give a new lease of life to the victims of insurgents and their families.
He said the federal projects that have been abandoned, such as the Biu Dam Water Project, the Lake Chad Basin oil exploration and the connection of Borno State to the National Power grid should be revived.
He advised the presidential candidate to ensure violence-free campaigns and elections.
Gen. Buhari assured the Shehu of his unflinching support and assistance in returning the state to peace and the resuscitation of the federal projects and establishments.
He pledged to tackle insecurity and improve on agricultural production, revive the oil industry and create job opportunities for unemployed youths, who have graduated and cannot find jobs, if elected.
“I was here in 1975 as governor of the defunct North-East State. I’m happy that I received a befitting welcome. If elected, I will focus on tackling the persistent insecurity affecting Northeast. The damage has been done, but if the APC government is elected, all towns under Boko Haram control will be liberated and rebuilt. It is unfortunate that commercial activities were paralysed.
“In the past, hundreds of trailers loaded with goods took off from Maiduguri to various neighbouring countries, but now the reverse is the situation. Boko Haram’s ideology contradicts Islamic principle. Islam does not allow senseless killings of innocent people. It is unfortunate that innocent persons are being killed in mosques, churches and their houses. God willing, if the APC is elected, we will restore confidence in governance and stamp out corruption,” Buhari said.
At the Ramat Square, venue of the grand rally, the crowd overwhelmed security operatives and brought the rally to an abrupt end.
It took the convoy of the candidate more than an hour from the Maiduguri International Airport to arrive at the Ramat Square.
The APC candidate had to abort all efforts at addressing the crowd, who kept shouting “Sai Buhari”.
Thousands of party supporters, mostly youths, lined major roads as early as 7a.m. to catch a glimpse of the APC standard-bearer.
Vehicles were forced to move at snail’s speed after Buhari arrived at the state capital, as supporters occupied the roads in celebration.
The equipment of a television station transmitting the event live were vandalised.
One of the crew members said: “Our transmission wires were cut. We lost some of our equipment, but I thank God that we came out of that place in one piece.”
In an attempt to control the surging crowd of supporters, the military resorted to brutality, beating up supporters attempting to invade the VIP stand.
In a show of anger, some supporters threw footwears at security operatives.
There was stampede in and outside the Ramat Square. There was heavy shelling of RPG in front of the square, as a measure to control the crowd. Two people were taken out, gasping for breath.
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Scores killed in Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri
It was a bloody Sunday yesterday in three Northeast states of Borno, Gombe and Yobe where Boko Haram continued violent campaign.
The sect’s fighters staged a ferocious attack on Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital for the second time in one week.
They did not only fail in the doomed mission launched on three fronts, but lost hundreds of their fighters, according to security and other sources, before beating a retreat.
A combination of troops and Civlian Joint Task Force (JTF) members dealt a huge blow on the sect.
In Yobe, an explosion in the commercial town of Potiskum left eight people dead. Five were killed in twin bombs in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, where the sect has also been operating in recent months.
The coordinated attack on Maiduguri – home to about 1.2 million people – was launched from Dalwa Damboa axis and from the Mafa entry point.
Many displaced residents from the other parts of the state are also taking refuge in the city.
Last week’s attack by the sect was initiated from the Damaturu-Jimtilo axis.
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima praised the military and the civilian JTF boys for standing up promptly to defend the city. The Special Anti-robbery squad of the police also joined in the battle, which raged for hours on the outskirts of the city, residents said.
“Fighting has been going on since 3 a.m. as Boko Haram battled soldiers and vigilantes,” said resident Mahmud Kyari. “Explosions and gunfire are all we hear,” he added.
The militants launched bomb and gun attacks from three points outside the city, but met stiff resistance from troops and vigilantes, residents said.
Government officials said fighter jets were pounding the insurgents.
“Boko Haram gunmen have been routed and are on the run,” said Sadiq Balarabe, another resident.
The militants continued their attempt to enter the city from other areas after they were crushed in Mulai.
Fearful residents could not leave their houses to begin their activities for the day.
A resident of Maiduguri, Malam Illya Fanami, said he feared the exchange of Rocket Propelled Gun launchers in the fight, which put many residents at high risk.
Abdullahi Sani from Damboa Road where the fight was fierce said an RPG dropped on his neighbour’s home, killing the head of the family and his two sons.
A 70-year-old man, his granddaughter and another girl were also killed in Zannari.
A resident said a bomb hit the old man who was seated in front of his home with his animal when the missile struck the tree they sat under killing him, his three-year-old grand daughter and her friend. His ram also died.
A resident of the area who identified himself as Idris Abubakar Molai said soldiers advised us to “leave the area for them and the terrorists and immediately, we started hearing heavy exchange of fire and loud explosions. It was a fierce battle. I think the soldiers took good positions and took advantage of the terrorists.”
He said many insurgents were killed.
He said: “Many were killed, including insurgents and some civilians. Two artillery, vehicles, motorcycles and others were recovered. Many people have also fled the area except a few of us who are assisting security operatives.”
A member of Civilian JTF, Shettima Kakuwa, who took part in the operation, told our correspondent on telephone. “As I am talking to you, we have just come back from Dalia village in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists. We killed a lot of them, while two artillery vehicles, motorcycles and many arms and ammunition were recovered”.
“One of the insurgents who hid on the fence of Molai General Hospital was aiming at soldiers. Residents of the area took him by surprise, came behind the fence and brought him down. Our boys quickly went there and killed him.”
Another member of the Civilian JTF recounted how the insurgents were repelled at Mailai village on the Maiduguri-Damboa road as they were moving towards Dala Abuja Zannari.
He said: “It was a hectic operation. The military engaged the terrorists in a gun battle. The insurgents started shooting Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). The soldiers asked us to be crawling. Before we knew it, four of our members had been killed.”
Mallam Isa Gusau, Shettima’s media aide quoted the governor as saying: “I received with gratitude, information on how youths from different parts of Borno State, comprising those under the Borno Youths Empowerment Scheme, otherwise called ‘Civilian JTF’, vigilantes and other residents of Maiduguri, came out of their homes, abandon their families and, with very uncommon courage, they sacrificed their lives and moved to front lines to support our gallant armed forces in a patriotic battle to defend the soul of Borno State and its people from being seized by determined insurgents … early hours of Sunday.
“Our armed forces and youth volunteers have proved their worthiness and selflessness. We will, as government, continue to afford them all the they need within the limits of resources at our disposal. Reclaiming captured territories and safeguarding others that are free as well as safeguarding lives and property constitute our fundamental priorities as government.”
“Residents should cooperate with armed forces and always regard them as partners that put their lives on the line so we all can be alive. I am confident that the Borno’s sun will shine again and very soon. We have many years of resilient history. We will overcome this problems insha Allah.”
Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese Most Rev. Dr.Oliver Doeme Dashe, described the attack as unfortunate.
A statement signed by Fr. Gideon Obasogie, the Director of Catholic Communication Maiduguri, described the fight as a “A culture of savagery and blood bath”
”Christians in the capital city are really paying the prize for their faith. This is the second Sunday when we have been forced either to attend Mass/ Sunday service lately or never to attend at all. We cannot even have a sound gathering on a Sunday to thank God for his love thus far and most particularly to pray for peaceful elections. The threats and distractions have become totally unbearable.
“The ferocious attempt by the unrepentant radical Islamist militants, Boko haram to overrun the capital city of Maiduguri has been very frightening. I wonder and sometimes, I think aloud when all these will stop. When will this culture of savagery and bloodletting end. Is it that as a nation we lack the inner capacity to abate it?” the statement queried.