9 Killed, 24 Injured in Maiduguri Blasts
Suicide bombers yesterday killed nine people and injured 24 others in early morning attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. One blast occurred at the entrance of the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp along the Maiduguri -Damboa road when a middle-age suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the midst of people, mostly IDPs, trying to enter the camp. Five persons died while 24 others were injured in that attack.
Another explosive went off about 10 minutes later inside a commercial tricycle, carrying two female passengers near the NNPC Depot in Maiduguri, killing the rider and the passengers suspected to be the suicide bombers.
A witness told Daily Trust on Sunday that the bomb-laden tricycle might have targeted a fuel truck driving ahead of it.
“We saw the tricycle trying to overtake a 406 Peugeot car to reach the truck but the Peugeot driver did not give him chance when suddenly the bomb exploded,” he said.
Confirming the attacks, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu, said only six persons died and 15 others injured.
He advised people to go about their normal businesses, saying the police and other security agencies were doing everything possible to fish out those behind the blasts and bring them to book.
Also reacting, the Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations of 7 Division, Maiduguri, Col Mustapha Anka, said the Bakassi camp attack was masterminded by a female suicide bomber who ran into a group of people killing five men and injuring 15 women.
“At about 7.05am this morning, there were bomb explosions at the entrance of Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp and NNPC Mega Filling Station, Damboa Road, Maiduguri.
“At the Bakassi IDPs camp, a suspected female suicide bomber ran into a group of men and women at the entrance while they were coming out of the camp, killing five men and injuring 11 women. The bodies of men and the injured women have been evacuated.
“At the NNPC, a female suicide bomber followed a fuel tanker in Keke NAPEP tricycle with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualty but was prevented from gaining access to the station by another vehicle. In that process, the suicide bomber exploded killing the three occupants of the tricycle.
“Troops and security agencies have been mobilized and the injured have been evacuated while efforts are on to comb the general area as well as entries and exits of Maiduguri.
“While we commiserate with the families of the deceased victims of this cruel act and wish those injured speedy recovery, we would like to assure the public that efforts are on going to track those behind the dastardly acts. However, it is equally important to reiterate the need for more vigilance and security consciousness among all. Citizens are enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the security agencies,” he said.
The National Public Relations Officer of NEMA, Mr Sani Datti, however, put the casualty figure at nine dead and 24 injured and assured that NEMA will do everything possible to assist the victims.
Saturday’s attacks came two weeks after an attack at Muna motor park in Maiduguri killed eight people and injured 15 others.