Explosion in Maiduguri

HEAVY explosion was heard on Wednesday at about 8.35 a.m. around Marazane area of Costine in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to residents of the area, the explosion did not claim any life, but was believed to have been targeted at a JTF vehicle as it damaged one of the vehicles’ wind screen.

Residents said following the explosion, some people in the area began to flee, but soldiers stationed there asked residents to remain and not panic.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, spokesman for the JTF, Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, said that the explosion was targeted at a JTF vehicle, but no casualty was recorded.

He, however, said that he would prepare a statement to that effect in order to keep the media abreast of events, adding that, “the IED was buried in the road as usual and targeted at one of our vehicles, but they did not succeed; we would continue to urge residents to keep calm and be bold to give information that would lead to the arrest of terrorists in their areas.”

Meanwhile, still reeling from the brutal killings of family of four in Jos South Local Government area of Plateau State on Tuesday, another set of three people were killed in what looked like a repraisal on Wednesday in the neighbouring Riyom Local Government Area.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that in the latest onslaught, some groups of young men in the early hours of Wednesday attacked a group of fulani herdsmen at Shonong village, Bachit district of Riyom Council area while returning from Fadan Karshi market.


A witness  gave names of the victims killed in the attack as Zainab Yusuf Idris, Salifu Yusuf Idris and Kabiru Abdulahi.

The witness said two of the victims were members of  the same family who were attacked on their motorcycle on their way from the market, adding that the attackers killed the first two victims and threw their bodies under the bridge.

“We went in company with a member of the STF to evacuate the bodies from the water under the bridge early Wednesday because the water is not big enough to float them. Their bodies were riddled with bullet wounds.

“The three victims have been buried by their families while those injured in the attack, Yakubu Muhammed and Alhassan Yusuf Idris are currently receiving treatment at Sunna Clinic in Barkin Ladi,” said the eye wittness.

Fulani community leader in Bachi, Ardo Muhammed Bello, who confirmed the incident said: “We are mourning the loss of our loved ones again, this time a woman, wife of Alhaji Yusuf was killed with her baby strapped to her back, the baby was not even spared. We have invited the soldiers to see the corpses.”