Five suspected bombers, three IDPs die in Borno multiple blasts

Plateau task force intercepts 213 vehicles conveying ‘strange uniformed vigilantes’
The Borno State Police Command and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the North-East yesterday confirmed the death of eight persons in multiple suicide bombings at Muna Garage Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

The affected camp is with no perimeter fencing like the ones at Dalori, Gubio, Bakasi and three others in Maiduguri metropolis.

Spokesman of North-East Zonal Co-ordinator of NEMA, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, in a statement in Maiduguri said that the multiple explosions also wounded 20 others in the camp.

He said: “The first location is Muna Kumbori, an unofficial host-community camp housing 199 internally-displaced persons attacked by three suicide bombers which led to the death of two persons.

“The second location is Muna Dagalti which was attacked by a suicide bomber killing another person. The third location is Muna Bulaya attacked by a suicide bomber who was the only casualty.”

But the Borno State Commissioner of Police (CP), Damian Chukwu, who also confirmed the attacks, said three suicide bombers were killed and four other persons.

“Altogether, seven persons were killed made up of three suspected suicide bombers and four innocent Nigerians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Media Head and Public Relations of NEMA, Sani Datti, said the explosions also injured 20 other IDPs while sleeping in their makeshift tents.

Datti in a statement disclosed that the suicide bombers burst into the camp through the northern flank of Muna Garage camp that accommodates over 2,500 IDPs.

In another development, the Commander for the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas, yesterday said 213 vehicles conveying armed vigilantes were intercepted by security operatives in Jos, Plateau State capital.

Nicholas, while speaking with journalists during a courtesy call by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter, said the vehicles were intercepted at Sector 9 check- point in Riyom Local Council of the state.

He said the vigilante members came from various states with the aim to commence training at the NYSC orientation camp located in Mangu Local Council of the state without authorisation from relevant authorities.

According to him: “The group members wore different types of uniforms and when intercepted. They said they were coming from Jigawa, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Ilorin, Kaduna, Kebbi and Benue states. However, after due interrogation, we found out that they were illegally making entry into Plateau for the purpose of training.”

The CAN Chairman, Rev. Soja Bewarang, who commended the STF for promptly intercepting the strange uniformed men in disguise as vigilante members, said the association would continue to pray for the task force for the sustenance of the already existing peace in the state.