Explosion rocks central Maiduguri, many killed

PREMIUM TIMES – Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, has come under attack from insurgents believed to be members of the extremist Boko Haram sect, residents have told PREMIUM TIMES.

Two thunderous explosions, suspected to be from detonated bombs, were heard in the city at about 6:15 p.m.

The blast occurred at an area called Ngomari area of the capital.
Several person have been killed by bomb planted in a pickup van carrying firewood by suspected Boko Haram sect militants.

According to the report, the huge explosion which occurred around 6 pm Nigerian time in a densely populated Bintu-Suga area along Airport road in Gomari neighborhood killed and injured unspecified number of people according to security agencies evacuating bodies of the dead and injured in the area.

Yahaya Adamu, a mechanic living in the area, told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that “There is heavy dust and smoke everywhere now, and I am running home now to see if my family are safe”.

It cannot be ascertained immediately if the blast was targeted at civilians.

No one could also say if there are casualties yet. The spokesperson of the state police command, Gideon Jubril, could not be reached to comment for this story. His telephone was switched off when our reporter called.

PREMIUM TIMES reporter however observed that the blasts have triggered panic in the city with residents seen rushing to their respective homes for safety.

The Boko Haram sect has in the past months intensified attacks on the northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, which are under emergency rule

It has been attacking security and military installations, including barracks and airbases at will. It has also been pummeling schools, towns and villages unchallenged and ransacking highways.

This week, it slaughtered more than 29 pupils at a government boarding school in Yobe.

As the litany of atrocities lengthened, President Goodluck Jonathan claimed the Nigerian government is winning the war against the insurgency.