Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Maiduguri Blasts Claimed 54, Injured 90 in Northeast Nigeria
Shehu Abubakar
Nigerian Daily Trust
Sep 21 2015 2:18PM

Borno state police command has put the casualty figure from last night's blasts in Maiduguri to 54.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP  Victor Isuku said 90 people were injured by the explosions.

Daily Trust had broken the story that Scores were feared killed yesterday after four bombs exploded within 25 minutes at Gommari area near the Maiduguri airport.

The first bomb went off around 7.35pm at Ajilari Cross in Gommari Ward and was said to have left scores dead and many injured.

A witness, Alhaji Bukar Modu said: “Less than 10 minutes later, at exactly 7.43pm, another bomb exploded not too far from the first place. That one did not do much damage because people were at the scene of the first one. The third one came a few minutes later in a nearby mosque when people were praying. I saw people scattered in the mosque. It was terrifying. I could not stay behind to see what happened. The highest deaths might be the one in the mosque. I was running back home when the forth one exploded. I do not have details about  that one. But all the four blasts took place not too far apart”.

A commercial vehicle driver, who resides in Gommari area, Alhaji Tijjani Bana, said the fourth bomb exploded at the gate of a viewing center in the area killing at least five people including children selling satchet water.

Efforts to reach military and police authorities were futile but rescue efforts were on at press time.


54 killed, 95 injured in Maiduguri multiple blasts –Police

By INUSA NDAHI
National Mirror
September 22, 2015

Borno State police command on Monday confirmed to journalists that 54 people were killed with 95 critically injured in a multiple explosions that rocked the suburb of Maiduguri around Ajilari, Bintu Sugar and Gomari Airport general areas by suspected terrorists. Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Isuku Emmanuel, made the revelation during an interview with journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.

But sources puts the figure of the death toll as being over 60 as many of the of 95 critically injured persons could not survive while receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state.

Ajilari across and Bintu Sugar are located in the outskirt of Maiduguri and have witnessed series of Boko Haram attacks, including bombings of football viewing centre in recent past.

The explosions which were suspected to have been masterminded by suicide bombers occurred simultaneously at about 7.38pm, while the last four took place at about 8pm which has forced many residents to flee into the main city for safety.

A lucky survivor based in Ajilari who also works with one of the nation’s humanitarian agencies, told our correspondent on phone that the first incident occurred at a local ram market near Ajilari railway crossing, while other took place at a telecommunication service point where many people gather to buy and sell GSM recharge cards and do other petty businesses.

But another eyewitness said the first blast claimed seven lives, including those of some members of the civilian joint task force.

Our correspondent observed that besides the Ajilari blast, 18 persons, mostly worshippers, were killed at a mosque where some of the insurgents, driving in a golf Volkswagen Saloon, threw an improvised explosive devices ( IEDs) while Muslim faithful were about to round up their Magrib prayers.

Another blast, according to our correspondent’s findings took place at about 8pm, targeting football fans who had gathered to watch a match, while at the popular telecommunication service point, 15 people were killed, including others that also lost their lives at a public gathering in Majalisa in addition.

Already, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, during an interview with journalists confirmed the multiple blasts but insisted that the number of casualties was yet to be ascertained.

He however cautioned residents of Maiduguri and its environs to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security operatives, even as he said the military are doing their best to restore normalcy in the troubled state.

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