Over 50 persons were killed yesterday and scores injured when suicide bombers hit three separate targets in Maiduguri, Borno State capital eyewitnesses and a source have said.
The first attack by a female suicide bomber and a man both disguised as couple blew themselves up at the main gate of Baga Market where hundreds of people scramble to get entrance into the crowded fish market at roughly 11:20 am leaving 25 people dead with scores injured as well as destruction of vehicles and shops at the market.
The second explosion went off some minutes after at the Monday Market, killing 20 people mostly traders and buyers including the male suicide bomber, according to a security source.
Also at the busiest Borno Express motor park, another suicide bomber blew himself up killing at least 10 others with scores injured.
The incidents immediately disrupted the social activities in the city as shops, markets and other businesses closed. Those attending weddings and other social events had to rush back home as pandemonium swept through major streets.
Although, there was no official statement as to the imposition of 24 hours curfew, many residents remained indoors as at yesterday evening.
The officials of Red Cross, emergency response services, security operatives and members of vigilante youth groups were busy evacuating corpses and the injured to various hospitals including the Umaru Shehu Hospital in Bulumkutu ward of the metropolis.
Sources at some of the hospitals disclosed that 34 dead bodies were brought in while over 76 people were seriously injured.
A fisherman’s union boss Abubakar Gamandi, in an account supported by other witnesses and a health worker said the death toll may rise as many of the injured may not survive the explosions.
Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, had to suspend his campaign midway in Southern Borno following reports about bomb explosions.
The governor condemned the attacks in strong terms and those who perpetuated them while condoling with families and friends of those that lost their lives and commiserated with those who sustained injuries.
Shettima, who was in Hawul local government area earlier yesterday stopped the APC leaders from making campaign speeches and instead, led prayers for repose of victims of the bomb blast before he launched a free feeding programme to ease hardships faced by residents there arising from insurgency crisis across Borno State.
The governor has also directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice whose Ministry deals with citizens rights, to visit all affected areas and ensure speedy evacuation of victims to hospitals and mobilise medical doctors for emergency treatments which cost would be shouldered by the state government.
The governor directed that all necessary steps be taken to safe lives where possible no matter what is required, according to a statement by his media aide, Isa Gusau
Shettima was visibly troubled by the unfortunate bomb blast which came at a time citizens of Borno were already adjusting to normal lives following successes being recorded by the combined efforts of the military, other security agencies and youth volunteers called the civilian JTF involved in ongoing counter insurgency operations in different parts of the State.
The Governor however expressed optimism that the security challenges will be brought to an end as his administration remains committed to providing all necessary support to the military, youths volunteers and other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency. He noted that Allah is already giving victory over insurgents and he was without the iota of doubt that the situation will be brought to sustainable end.
Shettima said he will be holding an emergency meeting with different stakeholders in markets, motor parks and other public places to take new measures aimed at enhancing security in public places while he called on residents to patiently support whatever measures that will be taken in collective interest.
The Governor said his administration was already putting measures in place for the takeoff of a multi faith and multi ethnic Task Force that will be saddled with the responsibility of evaluating all communities liberated from the hands of insurgents, to come with urgent steps towards reconstruction of residential houses and public infrastructures like water supply infrastructures, hospitals, schools, markets and other essentials of livelihood. He said the task force, which is to work with security agencies, will ensure that liberated communities are certified safe and habitable for occupation by displaced persons.
Similarly, the Minister of State Power, Hon Mohammed Wakil, condemned as reprehensible renewed bombings of civilian targets in Maiduguri on Saturday, calling on local and international human rights organisations to document and indict Boko Haram leaders for crimes against humanity.
In a condolence message he personally signed over the bombings at Monday Market, fish market in Tashan Baga as well as Borno Express motor park near areas of Bulumkuntu, the minister described the unfortunate incidents as crime against humanity which the International Criminal Court should take up without further delay.
“The targets of Boko Haram are women, children and the elderly. Bombing civilian targets is a crime against humanity. I call on Amnesty international and Human Rights Watch and other similar groups to deploy resources towards documenting for indictments, the leaders of Boko Haram. Boko Haram leaders should face trial at the ICC”, the minister said.
While commiserating with the families and victims of the bombings, the minister appealed to civilians to be extra vigilant as defeated insurgents may have infiltrated some other areas.
“We must be extra vigilant. We must be on guard all the time, all suspicious movements and objects should be reported to the police and other security personnel immediately”, the minister advised.
According to Wakil, the indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets is a confirmation that the Boko Haram had been defeated in conventional warfare and is now resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets.
“As I commend our gallant military and security personnel over ongoing successes ,I again call on them to redouble their efforts towards blocking access to soft targets even while routing the insurgents in conventional battle”, the minister said.
Also reacting to the incidents, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, the Coordinator and Media Campaign Director to Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Muhammad Imam, said in a statement that “Imam and the entire PDP is saddened by the explosion in several parts of Maiduguri on Saturday in which precious lives were lost, others injured and property destroyed.
“We once again condemn the act and empathise with fellow citizens for the losses and pains being inflicted on them.
And now my question is this. What exactly do they tell this suicide bombers that they will accept to take their life and lives of innocent people?
What is the aim of this act? Is there a problem that needs solving? and when will the stop? till they wipe out everybody in this country?
Lets get the conversation going in the comment section. Share your views with me.
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