The Police in Borno State have confirmed that 54 people were killed and over 95 injured in the multiple explosions that hit Maiduguri, the state capital on Sunday night.
Police Public Relations Officer Victor Isuku said the attacks bore the hallmark of suspected Boko Haram insurgents. No group has however claimed responsibility for the action.
Isuku said the suspected Boko Haram terrorists simultaneously detonated four separate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a mosque and a viewing center in Ajilari T-junction of Maiduguri metropolis.
There are conflicting reports on the figures as eyewitnesses put the figure of the death toll at over 60 with more than 95 injuries.
Some hospital sources corroborated the fatality of over 60.
Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “We would like to state that the Nigerian military would not be deterred in its determined efforts of defeating Boko Haram terrorists in the shortest possible time.
“We would like to assure the public also that the terrorists have shown their ugly presence in such areas, there is need for more vigilance, security consciousness and prompt reporting of suspicious persons or group of persons in their midst. This would enable the security against take appropriate measures against them.”
“The four explosives were planted by the fleeing suspected terrorists from Sambisa Forest. They could have sneaked into these areas about a week or two to plant these bombs in this mosque and other soft targeted areas of a local market and other strategic locations,” Sani said, adding that a suspect also threw a grenade at the viewing centre from an unmarked vehicle.
