Nigerian military storms Maiduguri as Osinbajo visits despite Boko Haram attack

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo would not cancel an earlier planned one-day visit for Maiduguri, even after the Boko Haram terrorist sect attached the town less than 18 hours earlier.

Osinbajo visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to flag off the Federal Government’s quarterly grain distribution programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

And to ensure the safety of the Acting President, and other dignitaries who accompanied him on the visit, the Nigerian military and other security agencies put a tight security condone in and around the town.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu had said 17 persons died, while 24 were injured during the attack by the insurgents on Wednesday night.

Chukwu, who spoke at a press briefing at the state police headquarters, Maiduguri, also revealed that three Boko Haram suicide bombers were shot dead as security personnel battled to repel the invasion.

He said one of the attackers, who was also armed with explosives wrapped around his body, was arrested alive.

Read also: Attack on Maiduguri contained, no need for panic, Nigerian Army reassures

Meanwhile, security was beefed up across Maiduguri, with heavily armed personnel from the army, navy, airforce, police, DSS, immigration and other para-military agencies deployed to major roads and streets in the town.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) were stationed on all the routes the acting president was expected to take, with assault helicopters and military fighter jets providing air surveillance and cover.

With the Acting President in the visit were governors from the region, including Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, and Governor Bindo Jubrilla of Adamawa State. Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar D. Ali was also present alongside members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, the National Security Adviser to the President, General Baba Munguno, Rtd, Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, and the Governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele amongst several other dignitaries.

Earlier upon his arrival in Maiduguri, the Acting President inspected the consignment of about 30,000 metric tonnes to be delivered across the region by 1,032 trucks.

The distribution is for affected persons in of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe States.

Prof Osinbajo during the visit also inspected some facilities such as the NEMA warehouse, the Bakassi IDP camp office and the premises of School A located within the camp.

 

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