No fewer than nine persons were killed early today as two suicide bombers struck in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State and the heart of a seven-year-old insurgency by Islamist Boko Haram militants.
Reports quoted a military source and residents confirming the attacks.
The first attack occurred at 0600 GMT in front of a camp for displaced persons in the Bakassi area and minutes later a second bomb went off at a bus stop, eyewitness said.
Residents saw bodies being carried into an ambulance by government emergency services.
The bombings came 17 days after a car bomb that killed 10 people when a convoy was hit in the outskirt of the city.
The explosion at Muna garage hit the convoy with a military escort as it made its way to Gamboru Ngala.
Five persons were inside the taxi hit by the bomber.
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A witness said he saw 10 corpses at the scene of the explosion, but NEMA gave a death toll of eight.
Cars in Borno State often travel in convoys organised by the military to minimise the risk of Boko Haram ambushes in rural areas.
An official of the Civilian-JTF, Alhaji DanBatta, who also confirmed the two incidents, said that the first blast came from suicide bombers who were trying to invade Bakassi IDP camp, one of the largest displaced persons camp in Maiduguri.
“We have another sad day today, but we thank God the worst did not happen; because the suicide bombers actually wanted to enter Bakassi camp, and that could have been really bad,” said Mr. DanBatta.
“There was another one just opposite the NNPC Depot along Damboa Road. But I cannot give you the details of the casualties recorded immediately because we are presently conveying the victims to the hospital. I will get back to you when the doctors confirm their conditions,” he said.
The army has retaken much of the territory initially lost to the militants but Boko Haram still stages suicide bombing attacks and plants roadside bombs.
NAN
