MAIDUGURI – An unfortunate incident occurred in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as twin-bomb explosions rocked populated areas of the city on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
According to reports, the first explosions went off in the viewing centre in Ajilari ward, Jere Council area of Maiduguri, killing dozens and injuring many who showed up to watch their favourite teams play.
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, Vanguard reports.
The Boko Haram sect are suspected to have planted the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), that exploded at about 6 p.m.
An eyewitness said: “Some suspected terrorists in two Toyota Hilux Pick Up vans, pretending to be firewood suppliers, detonated the bombs near the football viewing centre, resulting in loss of several lives.
“The explosion apparently left about 70 dead,” another eye witness said.
He added: “Moments after the rescue operation got underway, another explosion went off, killing many more and wounding several others. 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.”
The incident has been confirmed by the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko, though he didn’t give figures to the number of casualties.
A security source that spoke to Vanguard said: “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”.
