Buhari condoles with families of victims, salutes military
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Female bombers suspected to be Boko Haram infiltrated a convoy of people returning to liberated communities and detonated explosive devices at a security point on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital.
The explosion killed eight people and injured 15.
The bomb attack, yesterday, came after weeks of failed attempts by suicide bombers to penetrate the city centre.
Witnesses said a taxi, with four female passengers, suddenly arrived a security point near Muna Garage, some 7 kilometres to the city centre at about 8.30am. “The taxi, thereafter, joined a convoy of other vehicles waiting for military clearance before proceeding to Gamboru/Ngala and suddenly, we heard a loud sound,” Ibrahim Bunu, a trader near the area and eyewitness told Daily Sun.
He said eight people were killed in the bomb attack while over a dozen persons were injured. Police anti-bomb squad, CJTF, rescue workers and military personnel were seen at the scene evacuating the victims and securing the area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Borno Command, Victor Isuku confirmed the incident and said the four female passengers suspected to be carriers of the IEDs were on board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour. “The explosion occurred when the taxi was attempting to join the convoy of other vehicles heading to Gamboru town.
“Two vehicles were involved in the blast, the first vehicle JERE 349xA, all the occupants (four women and a male driver) died. The second vehicle which was very close had five occupants, too, but no one died. They only sustained varying degrees of injuries. As soon as the explosion occurred, they all ran out from the vehicle,” he explained.
However, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Datti put the casualty figure at eight and added that 15 people were injured. “About eight persons died and 15 injured persons were evacuated to Specialist and Teaching Hospitals, Maiduguri,” he said in a statement.
Maiduguri, hotbed of Boko Haram insurgency, has experienced relative peace since the last bomb attack mid May near the state secretariat gate.
Also, last week, two suicide bombers were intercepted by vigilant military troops and men of the Civilian JTF.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended condolences to families of the victims. The president expressed sadness by the bomb blast and said Boko Haram, having been unable to “hold territory now resort to cowardly attacks.” The president, however, commended “the military for their unflagging efforts.” How Boko Haram/SD
How Boko Haram bombers penetrate IDP returnees’ convoy…killed 8, injured 15
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Female bombers suspected to be members of Boko Haram have infiltrated a convoy of people returning to their liberated communities and detonated explosive devices at a security point at the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital. The explosion killed eight people and injured 15.
The bomb attack yesterday came after weeks of failed attempts by suicide bombers to penetrate the city that has been experiencing relative peace.
Witnesses said a taxi with four female passengers suddenly arrived a security point near Muna Garage, some 7 kilometres to the city centre at about 8.30am. “The taxi thereafter joined a convoy of other vehicles waiting for clearance by the military before proceeding to Gamboru/Ngala and suddenly we heard a loud sound,” Ibrahim Bunu, a trader near the area and eyewitness told Daily Sun.
He said eight people were killed in the bomb attack while over a dozen persons were injured. Police anti-bomb squad, CJTF, rescue workers and military personnel were seen at the scene evacuating the victims and securing the area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Borno Command, Victor Isuku while confirming the incident said the four female passengers suspected to be carriers of the IEDs were on board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour.
“A Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA taxi colour carrying 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.
“Two vehicles were involved in the blast, the first vehicle JERE 349xA, all the occupants (4female & the male driver) died. The second vehicle which was very close had five occupants too but none died. They only sustained varying degrees of injuries. As soon as the explosion occurred, they all ran out from the vehicle,” he explained.
However, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Datti puts the casualty figure at eight, adding that 15 people were injured. “About eight (8) persons lost their lives, fifteen (15) injured persons were evacuated to Specialist and Teaching Hospitals, Maiduguri,” he said in a statement.
Maiduguri, hotbed of the six year Boko Haram insurgency, has experienced relative peace since last bomb attack mid May near the state secretariat gate. The explosion killed no fewer than five people. Also last week, two suicide bombers were intercepted by vigilant military troops and men of the Civilian JTF.
SOURCE: THE SUN
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