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Over 100 people feared dead as boko haram bomb Maiduguri

Published

11 years ago

March 2, 2014

It was another tragic day in Maiduguri, Borno State capital,
yesterday, after twin explosions reportedly killed about 100 people,
some of them football fans.
The first explosion was said to have killed dozens of the fans in a
‘viewing centre’ when suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
were detonated at about 6pm.
The second explosion, it was learnt, went off as rescuers rushed to the
scene, killing many more.
In another location, Dugolong village, in Askira Uba local
government area of the state, about 20 persons were allegedly killed.
It was not clear if the incident was a terror attack or resulted from
airstrikes as an airforce fighter jet was said to have been spotted
around the scene at the time of attack.
Meanwhile, a female student of the state college of education, Waka,
in Biu LGA was said to have been slaughtered by suspected Boko
Haram insurgents on Friday.
In the Maiduguri attack, fans, according to an eye witness, were
watching football in a ‘viewing centre’ when the explosion occurred.
“The explosion apparently left about 70 dead,” the eye witness said.
The blast was said to have attracted many people nearby including
wedding guests who launched a rescue operation.
“Moments after the rescue operation got underway, another explosion
went off, killing many more and wounding several others.”
File: Scene of the bomb blast at the post office area of Maiduguri in
Borno State
The eye witness believed the second explosion was detonated from two
pick up vans disguised as selling firewood.
“As I am talking to you now, we have counted over 70 corpses. Even
then, some have been taken to hospital, dead or injured. We probably
have at least 100 dead,” he added.
In the Dugolong attack, report said insurgents laid an ambush which
killed over 20 people, while another version said the deaths resulted
from airstrikes launched by government forces.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko, confirmed the
incident but could not give casuality figures. But a security source,
confirmed the incidents thus: “Yes, there were twin explosions in
Maiduguri metropolis on Saturday evening. There was also an attack
in Dugolong on Friday. Although we are yet to ascertain those
behind the Dugolong incident, preliminary investigation revealed that
the attack took place when a fighter jet was firing at suspected
insurgents killing over 20 of them”.
At press time, a fighter jet was seen hovering over Maiduguri while
most residents could not wait for the 9pm curfew imposed on the
Borno capital before rushing back home leaving almost all the streets
deserted.
Yesterday’s bombings came in the wake of the insurgency attack on a
school in Yobe State last week which killed about 59 students; and
another raid in Adamawa State with over two dozens deaths.