30 killed in Yobe, Borno suicide blasts
Over 100 terrorists shot dead – Army
At least 30 people were killed and many others injured in suicide bombings in Yobe and Borno states yesterday.
The incident happened on the day the military said it had killed 100 insurgents that tried to attack an army base in Goneri, Yobe State.
In Damaturu, the Yobe state capital three suicide bombers strapped with explosives attacked a mosque, a shopping complex, and a herder’s settlement on the edge of the town.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Toyin Gbadegesin, told Daily Trust that 18 people were confirmed dead in the attacks.
“Eleven people died at the Fulani herders’ settlement on the outskirts of Damaturu, while four people died at the shopping complex and two at the community mosques all in Buhari Estate,” he said.
Our correspondent gathered that the first blast occurred around 5:15am as the bomber targeted worshippers at the mosque.
Witnesses said a university undergraduate, Hassan Mohammed Damagum, intercepted the bomber as he made for the mosque in the estate.
One of the witnesses, Mustafa Bukar, said the student struggled with the bomber.
“He produced a gun and tried to shoot but the student prevented him from taking aim and the shots went off target.
“In frustration the bomber held the student tightly and set off the explosive and both died instantly, “the witness said.
The second attack happened around 6:15 am when the second suicide bomber attacked the herder’s settlement. The explosion killed 11 people and injured many.
Five minutes later, the third bomber struck at the shopping complex in Buhari Estate four people were killed and several others were injured.
Yesterday’s blast came almost a month after a female suicide bomber detonated explosives at a motor park that killed six people and injured 43.
Gunshots, explosions heard in Geidam
Reports reaching Damaturu later at dusk yesterday said insurgents attacked Geidam town, about 100 kilometres to the north of the Yobe State capital.
Multiple explosions and gunshots rent the air as the insurgents appeared on the outskirts of the town.
Terrified residents retreated into their homes, locked themselves and prayed hard for succour from the Almighty.
Some residents told our correspondent on phone that security operatives had earlier alerted the people and advised everyone to retire home for safety.
“Some soldiers said Boko Haram militants were sighted kilometres away and advised people to return to their homes.”
He said the soldiers later imposed total restriction of movement and engaged the militants at the outskirt of the town.
Also, in Borno State yesterday 12 people were feared killed in an attack on a mosque as worshippers stood in prayers at dawn.
Two suicide bombers carried out the mosque attack in Gubio village.
A resident, Zanna Modu Gubio who fled to Maiduguri, the state capital, told Daily Trust that the attacks occurred at about 5:30am by two male suicide bombers.
Zanna, an applicant, said he counted 12 corpses at the scene of the blast before he fled the scene.
“The early Morning prayer had started; I was late, preparing to rush to the mosque from my house when I heard the sounds of the twin bombs going off simultaneously. I counted 12 corpses with several people injured and crying for help. I locked my door and ran away thinking there would be more attacks,” he said.
Gov. Gaidam mourns victims, tasks security agencies
Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has condemned the killings and expressed his condolences and sympathies to the families of victims.
In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Abdullahi Bego, Gaidam said already, treatment had commenced for injured victims at the Sani Abatcha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.
He said three of the 11 injured victims had been referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala Kano for further medical care at government’s expense.
The governor described the attacks as cowardly and barbaric and that he remained confident that despite these unjustified suicide attacks, the insurgency would come to an end soon in view of the all-hands-on-deck approach adopted by the federal government.
He commended the security agents on the ground in Yobe State for their effort in the general security improvement in the state and urged them to step up surveillance to prevent insurgents and criminals from conducting further attacks.
The governor also urged Yobe residents not to relent in their exemplary support to and cooperation with security agents and called on them to continue to pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) for the full restoration of peace and security.