Multiple blasts in Maiduguri

• 2 JTF Members, 4 Suicide Bombers Die In Seperate Incidents
• Attacks Are From Sleeper Cells, Says Abubakar

In what appears to be a recurring incident of late, suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers yesterday caused the death of six persons, injuring many more in multiple bomb blasts within Maiduguri metropolis in the early hours of the day.

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Demian Chukwu, who confirmed the incident, said the six people, including four suspected suicide bombers, were killed in the blasts, which rocked the metropolis between 4.10am and 7.40am, killing two members of Civilian JTF at their duty posts at Muna Garage on Dikwa Road.

Chukwu, speaking during the briefing of journalists at the Police headquarters, said: “The first suicide attempt occurred at Jiddari Polo area, opposite Federal High Court, about 4:10am in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), when three suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed St. Hillary Catholic Church.

“They were questioned by Mobile Police on guard and one male bomber detonated the strapped Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), killing self, while two others were gunned down by Police.

“The second blast happened around 7:40am at the Muna Garage, along Gambouru/Ngala road, when a male bomber was prevented from entering the motor-park and he equally detonated and killed himself.

“Also, the third heavy explosion occurred at Mafa-Maiduguri gate check-point, where the bomber rode in a tricycle to the check-point
and exploded, killing two members of Civilian JTF, including the suspected bomber.”

The Police chief also confirmed that there were four bomb explosions in the early hours of yesterday that killed six people, including four of the suspected suicide bombers.

On how the suspects were killed, Chukwu said: “At 04:15am in Jiddari Polo area, Mobile Police personnel on guard duty opposite the Federal High Court, sighted three suspected suicide bombers running towards their sandbag.

“They ordered them to a halt for questioning. In the process, one of them detonated the IEDs strapped to her body, killing herself. The other female refused to carry out the evil and surrender was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the military for further exploitation and necessary follow up actions.”

He continued: “At 0803hrs, another male suicide detonated IEDs at Muna Garage, killing self also.

“A bomber also succeeded in killing two members of Civilian JTF on duty at Welcome to Maiduguri gate along 40-kilometre Mafa- Maiduguri road.

“This brings the death toll to six people.”

He explained that one survivor, during interrogation, confessed that she was abducted in Gwoza town two years ago by Boko Haram insurgents.

Modu Fugu, a resident of Jiddari, who operates a kiosk near the blast scene, also said the incessant attacks with explosives in Maiduguri metropolis has to be investigated by the military and other security agencies.

He disclosed that most of the suicide bomb attacks are restricted to the “southern and eastern” flanks of Maiduguri metropolis, adding that such attacks are launched every Fridays of the week.

Fugu stated that yesterday’s explosions bring to eight separate suicide bombs attacks in Maiduguri.

He told The Guardian yesterday in an interview that there must be bomb-making hideouts among the communities of eastern and southern flanks of the metropolis.

“These communities that host many residents and other Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in there should be investigated.

“These suicide bombers, including the hideouts where the explosives are locally primed for attacks, could be located in the two flanks of communities,” disclosed Fugu.

Citing residents living in the southern flank of Maiduguri, he added: “The fleeing Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa Forest easily infiltrate and sneak into this southern flank of Maiduguri to hide and also strategise on how to attack with IEDs, which could have been locally made by some of the suspected suicide bombers.”