No fewer than 17 people were killed and scores injured
when a car bomb exploded in Maiduguri, the Borno State
capital yesterday. The bomb, which exploded around the
popular post office area within the metropolis, said to have
been planted in a taxi by Boko Haram.
The police commissioner, Lawan Tanko, confirmed 17 dead
victims, even as a lawmaker from the state called for
investigation into the spate of attacks lately.
An eyewitness who is a resident, Malam Kabiru said: "I
was coming from the market and heading towards the
Open Air Theatre opposite the Ministry of Water Resource
office complex to pick my car at the car wash and
suddenly, I heard the deafening sound. Two minutes later,
soldiers started shooting into the air and people were
scampering for safety. I saw very thick smoke and it was a
reminder of the usual bomb explosion of 2011. this is a
bad way to start a new year".
Spokeman of the 7 Division of the Army, Maiduguri, Col.
Mohammed Dike, confirmed the explosion in a statement
to journalists but could not confirm the actual casualty
figure. He spoke of deaths and injuries.
Following the explosion, which came barely four days after
a former governor visited Maiduguri, dozens of youths,
mostly armed with machetes, took to the streets to protest
the explosion which resulted in the attack on his campaign
office in the state capital.
The former governor had contested and lost Borno central
senatorial district election.
Although, he is yet to disclose his 2015 smbition, there are
strong indications that he may want to return to the Senate
then.
Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima has condemned
yesterday's explosion in Maiduguri which claimed 17 lives,
injuring many people.
This is even as the governor met in Abuja yesterday with the
National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki
(rtd).
Although, details of the meeting were still sketchy at press
time, it was learnt that it may not be unconnected with the
spate of attacks on Maiduguri in the last three days.
Yesterday's explosion, the governor noted, came at a time
the residents of Maiduguri were celebrating the return of
peace.
Speaking through his spokesman, Mallam Isa Umar Gusau,
the governor, who has ordered security operatives to carry
out a full investigation into circumstances surrounding the
incident, also described the bombing as "most cruel, evil
and inhuman."
This is even as he expressed his deep condolences to the
families and friends of all victims,praying for the repose of
the victims' souls and the quick recovery of the injured.
"The governor has directed the security to carry out a full-
scale investigation into the bomb explosion which resulted
in the unfortunate youths rampage that led to the
breakdown of law and order. The governor also
condemned the uprising in the last three days in the state
capital which he said was unfortunate even though it was
avoidable.
"He has directed the Ministry of Health to ensure proper
medication for all victims who might have suffered injuries
with government bearing all the costs of treatment.
"The Borno State Government will take firm measures to
continually protect lives and property of citizens. And as
part of such measures, Governor Shettima has met with the
National Security Adviser in Abuja during which issues of
security of lives and property of Borno citizens was top on
the agenda," the governor's spokesman said.
Meanwhile, worried over yesterday's explosion in
Maiduguri and growing spate of attacks by Boko Haram in
different parts of Borno, a member of the House of
Representatives, Hon. Kyari Kaka Gujbawu has called on
the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the
renewed reign of terror in the state.
Gujbawu, who represents Maiduguri, said the development
called for investigation by security agencies and the
presidency. Several churches were last weekend burnt by
the Islamist sect even as some people were killed.
In a statement, Gujbawu said, "this renewed violence is a
rude shock with the preceding events of the last two days
which culminated in the explosion of IEDs in Maiduguri
after an uninterrupted reign of peace".
The lawmaker's statement titled, 'Not again, enough of this
rubbish', reads "all the security apparatus in Nigeria
should stand on their toes and stop the senseless violence in
the region.
I extend my sympathy to the families and victims of this
callous and inhuman attack", he said.
Meanwhile, the Special Army Operations Battalion of the
Nigerian Army, Mubi,Adamawa State yesterday handed
over millions of Nigerian and foreign currencies to the
Chairman of the Bureaux de Change, Mallam Muhammed
Nural Dahiru.
The monies were earlier carted away by Boko Haram
insurgents, who stormed into Mubi Main market on
December 18 last year.
A shoot-out started with the police, who may have been
overwhelmed, but soldiers dislodged and killed 13 of the
insurgents,while seven of them escaped.
Commander of the battalion, Lt. Col Beyedi Marcus Martins
Gurama, who handed over the monies, disclosed that 13
insurgents were killed, while two were declared wanted by
the community.
According to Gurama, the attack took six hours at the Mubi
main market, but the target of the insurgents was that
portion of the Bureaux de Change,but the brigade was able
to dislodge the insurgents from the market to save the
civilian victims.
The monies recovered included over N3,526,000,
CFA,50,000, a lot of arms and ammunitions as well as
handsets and a number of supportive materials.
Also recovered were eight AK47 riffles,one rocket
propelled gun,one police teargas gun and number
valuable materials.
However, a soldier was said to have been killed in the gun
duel between the Boko Haram insurgents and members of
the Special Battalion in Mubi,
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