Bokjo Haram: Scores feared dead as multiple explosions rock Maiduguri

Fresh multiple explosions have rocked Ajilari Railway cross in Gomari Airport ward of Maiduguri metropolis leaving scores of people dead and many others critically injured according residents living around the affected areas.

Ajilari cross is an outskirt of Maiduguri which has witnessed series of Boko Haram attacks including bombings in recent past.

The explosions which were suspected to have been masterminded by suicide bombers occurred simultaneously at about 7:38pm, while the last one took place at about 8pm which forced many residents to flee into the city for safety.

A survivor, Mallam Ali Babagana, based in Alilari told Vanguard on phone that the incident occurred at a popular telecommunication service point where many people gathered to buy GSM recharge cards and transact other petty businesses.

“I was close to the scene of the multiple blasts, but God (Allah) saved my life as many were feared dead and injured. I saw many shattered bodies of human beings at the scene before I ran away for my dear life,” Babagana said.

Another source said that he heard explosions suspected to have been carried out by some male and female suicide bombers who sneaked into the town from Sambisa forest.

“Already, we have started moving out of  Ajilari  for a safer place into the main town of Maiduguri. Many dead bodies littered the scene of the blasts as we sought for an escape route to Gomari Airport,” the source said.

In another development, some suspected members of Boko Haram sect ambushed an operational vehicles of security forces along Maiduguri-Dikwa- Gamboru Ngala road on Saturday.

Dikwa and Ngala were captured by terrorists two  months ago, but recently the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai led some troops to recapture the two towns from the insurgents.

Due to poor telecommunications networks in the area, details of casualties on the side of the security operatives and the terrorists were sketchy, but sources said, both sides suffered severe casualties during the ambush.

When contacted on phone, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 7 Division in Maiduguri, Colonel Tukur Gusau told our Correspondent that he was busy somewhere, but promised to get back to the reporter after obtaining all the information from troops in the affected communities of Dikwa and Ngala, even as he said, he has not heard of any explosion in Maiduguri at the time of going to press.


SOURCE: VANGUARD