Despite FG’s claims, Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri… again

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

Contrary to Federal Goverment’s anouncement that the Boko Haram insurgents have been defeated, the insurgents launched an attack on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Sunday evening.

The attack reportedly started at about 6pm.

According to reports, the insurgents were repelled by soldiers as they tried to enter Maiduguri via Aladuwari village, about 2 km from the troubled city.

Report say as the battle raged for about two hours, two suicide bombers believed to be females, detonated explosives near a FOMWAN primary school between Suleimanti and Jiddari area of Maiduguri.

A vigilante official, Abubakar Muhammed, said he saw corpses and injured persons as he joined others to flee from the troubled neighbourhood which is close to Aladuwari.

A source in the area, Umar Ibrahim, told journalists that as a result of the shoot-out, a rocket propelled launcher fell on a group of people near a borehole at Jiddari Polo area.

However, the Nigerian Army, while confirming the development, gave a different account.

According to the spokesperson of Operation Lafiya Dole, Mustapha Anka, the blasts heard were not suicide bombings but controlled explosions by anti-bomb operatives.

“This evening, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, intercepted and destroyed 10 suspected Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers at the outskirts of Maiduguri city,” Anka, said.

Continuing, Anka said: “Contrary to earlier media reports and rumours flying around, 2 Boko Haram terrorists suspected suicide bombers earlier intercepted by vigilant troops disclosed their colleagues intent to enter the city with the aim of detonating bombs in selected public places.

“Consequently, the troops laid ambush on the terrorists suspected routes along Damboa road and eliminated them. The suicide bombers were intercepted in 3 different locations approaching the city; Ajiri area towards Damboa road, High Court axis and the Eye Hospital Area.

“The Explosive Ordinance Device team have been mobilized and they are combing the general area as well as clearing the debris. Normalcy has been restored to the general area and the public are please advised to go about their normal businesses and social activities. However, it is important to maintain more vigilance.”

It will be recalled that attacks occurred days after President Muhammadu and Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, said the Nigerian troops have defeated Boko Haram.

The President had said on a BBC Hausa programme on Chrismas eve that “They (Boko Haram) are not in a position to threaten Nigeria now, so we have won.”

 

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