admin
Borno State Police Command has confirmed multiple explosions suspected to have been masterminded by Boko Haram/ISWAP suicide bombers at various locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Sources said dozens of residents were feared dead and injured.
The confirmation was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Keneth Daso, in a telephone call with our Correspondent.
Daso, who was busy in the rescue team at the time of the telephone conversation, said the blasts took place at the gate of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the popular Monday Market general area simultaneously.
He said, “It was very difficult to give the actual number of casualties as the rescue mission is ongoing”, but he admitted that many people were killed and injured in the incidents.
He added that as soon as the rescue operations are done, he will state details of the incident. Daso, however, said the Police EOD Unit and Base 13 Maiduguri are on the ground and assessments are ongoing.
He advised residents to avoid the affected areas and remain indoors, while Emergency contact numbers have been released: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.
Sources said four blasts took place at about 6:45 pm to 7pm around the popular Monday Market, Kaleri, Post Office and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital axis, leaving several people dead and injured.
Another security source said that some of the blasts were carried out by suicide bombers, including a female, while the one at the Post Office area erupted from a tricycle (Keke Napep) at the Post Office’s busiest bus stop in the heart of the metropolis.
Our Correspondent observed that immediately after the explosions, residents were forced to rush home for safety, even as various ambulances were busy evacuating casualties to UMTH, State Specialist Hospital, Umaru Shehu UltraModern Hospital and other emergency medical facilities to save lives.
It was also observed that security agencies blocked major highways and entrances into highly respected public and private ventures to avoid further attacks.
This is coming less than 24 hours when some group of insurgents infiltrated Kofa community, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, but they were repelled.
According to one survivor at the Post Office area, Ali Abba said: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
“We have witnessed and received heartbreaking news of a twin bomb blast at Post Office Road link to Monday Market and the main gate of UMTH in Maiduguri. May Allah have mercy on the victims and grant quick healing to those injured.
“It is deeply painful that such a tragic incident has occurred during this sacred month of worship.
“May Allah protect His servants, comfort the families of those affected, and grant our community peace and security,” Abba stated.
