14 Killed In Maiduguri Blasts, Says Police Commissioner
THE Borno State Police Command has said that at least 14 people were killed and many others injured when four suicide bombers suspected to be members of the Boko Haram insurgents detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) strapped to their bodies late on Thursday at different locations of Sajeri and Bulunkutu areas of Maiduguri metropolis of Borno State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, in a texted message to The Guardian yesterday
said: “The death toll had risen to 14 persons, including the suicide bombers and many others were injured and receiving treatments at UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital) and Umaru Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri.
“Law abiding citizens are advised to report promptly to Police or the nearest security agency and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) any suspected strange faces in their respective neighbourhoods.”
Opadokun cautioned residents to avoid “unnecessary large gatherings” that could be infiltrated by the insurgents.
On whether arrests were made, he said: “Investigation is in progress please.”
It was gathered that one of the male bombers, who dressed as females, riding on a tricycle, were said to have alighted from the tricycle and ran into a mosque, with explosives strapped to his body, which he detonated, killing many in the process.
The second bomber was reported to have detonated his explosive as sympathiser gathered at the scene.
But his third colleague was apprehended before he could detonate his own explosive, as the people pounced on him and broke his legs, just as they kept a safe distance afterwards.
Ibrahim Ali of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) said: “As we patrolled these areas before the 9pm curfew, four suicide bombers burst into a crowded tea shop in Ajaleri and a local mosque and detonated the explosives simultaneously at about 7.35pm on Thursday, killing 14 people, with their body parts ripped off by shrapnel of blasts.”
He said the rescue teams of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) and some Civilian JTF members evacuated the bodies and the injured to hospital for deposition and treatment.
“The suspects sneaked into these areas through Ngaddabul River before attacking these targets.
“The southern part of Sajeri is porous and any person can sneak in to cause any havoc to our lives and property,” he added.
Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, also said that 14 people were killed in yesterday’s Sajeri multiple blasts.
He said the multiple blasts, were carried out by four suspected female suicide bombers at a tea shop around Ajaleri junction and a mosque.
“The casualties may rise, as 39 injured persons were evacuated from the blasts scenes to the hospitals for treatment.
“At least, 14 residents of Sajeri were feared killed in the Thursday night simultaneous bomb blasts of Maiduguri,” said Usman yesterday in a statement.
Governor Kashim Shettima condemned the incessant bombings of innocent people and other soft targets of mosques, motor parks and markets, when he visited the blasts scenes yesterday morning.
While sympathising with the family members of victims, he said: “As this Boko Haram madness was about to end and protect our people’s lives and property.
“I am urging all of you to be always security conscious, by promptly reporting any suspicious movement to the military and all other security agencies, before this madness destroys all of us here in this state.”
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“Law abiding citizens are advised to report promptly to Police or the nearest security agency and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) any suspected strange faces in their respective neighbourhoods.”
HAS IT COME TO THAT? AN INNOCENT STRANGER MIGHT BE SUSPECTED, ARRESTED OR EVEN MOBBED. NIGERIA SECURITY APPARATUS HAS FAILED. THEY ARE ONLY GOOD AT BEING COMPROMISED AND GIVING FALSE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE ELECTION OF NON APC ELECTED POLITICIANS AT TRIBUNALS.
We will review and take appropriate action.