- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 23 persons have been confirmed dead with 108 injured at Maiduguri, during the multiple explosions on Monday evening.
NPO Reported that the explosions were said to have occurred at the Monday Market and post office in the city.
Multiple sources claim that the number of casualties could not be confirmed at this time as more people are being ferried to the hospitals.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued yesterday, the Borno State Police Command’s spokesperson, Nahum Daso said suspected suicide bombers allegedly carried out the suicide attacks at 7:24 p.m.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the explosions were carried out using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by suspected suicide bombers at the Maiduguri Central Market, popularly known as Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital’s gate, and the Post Office Flyover area of the town.
According to him, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, military personnel, and other joint security operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected areas.
The spokesperson said that the scenes were immediately secured and cordoned off, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted thorough sweep operations to ensure no additional threats remained.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the scenes for an on-the-spot assessment and commiserated with victims and their families.
Daso, however, assured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
The spokesperson said that victims were evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, to medical facilities for treatment.
Daso said normalcy had been restored in the affected areas, while security had been heightened across the metropolis to forestall further incidents.
The spokesperson urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and report any suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.
Daso reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state.
Meanwhile, the police commmand in Borno said it is intensifying awareness campaigns against explosives in the state in order to minimize cases of tragedies.
Daso,in a statement issued on Tuesday, said “More IED awareness videos are underway to keep the public informed and safe.”