Multiple explosions rock Maiduguri

In what the army described as a “high level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists”, scores of people are feared dead in fresh multiple explosions that rocked Ajilari Railway cross in Gomari Airport ward of Maiduguri metropolis yesterday.
The area on the outskirt of Maiduguri has witnessed series of Boko Haram attacks including bombings in the recent past.
The explosions which were suspected to have been masterminded by suicide bombers occurred simultaneously at about 7:38pm, while the last one took place at about 8pm which forced many residents to flee into the city for safety.
The attackers were believed to have struck a mosque and the area outside the building, according to a witness.
Another witness said that the incident occurred at a popular telecommunication service point where many people gathered to buy GSM recharge cards and transact other petty businesses.
Another source said that he heard explosions suspected to have been carried out by some male and female suicide bombers who sneaked into the town from Sambisa forest.
“Already, we have started moving out of Ajilari for a safer place into the main town of Maiduguri. Many dead bodies littered the scene of the blasts as we sought for an escape route to Gomari Airport,” the source said.
The army in a it’s acting Director of Information Col.Sani Usman said, “This is to inform the public that there were three improvised explosive devices explosions at Gomari and Ajilari general area in Maiduguri at about 7.21pm today (Sunday) evening.

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“Although details are not clear, it is important to note the attacks signify high level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“Security personnel and emergency management teams have been drafted to the area and appropriate security measures being taken.
“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 now 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 take appropriate measures against them”, he said.

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