Fresh bomb attack foiled in Maiduguri

About 24 hours after a roadside bomb attack killed 40 people, including security personnel in the Maraba-Mubi area of Adamawa state, another attack has been foiled in nearby Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.

The attack was reportedly targeted at worshippers at a mosque in the area. A similar incident led to the loss of over 50 lives in Kano on Friday.

Members of civilian JTF, a local vigilante outfit in the northeast, and the military, reportedly prevented what would have been another tragedy in the country.

A remote-controlled device was said to have been planted by the side of the road in Gamboru market area of Maiduguri.

Although the police bomb squad successfully defused the bomb, another device exploded a few distance from the place, destroying several stalls.

Babakura Adam, a member of civilian JTF, who spoke to AFP on the incident, said there were no casualties.

“Our assumption is that the bombs were planted ahead of Friday prayers in the mosque just nearby,” Adam said.

“Of course, it’s Boko Haram’s handiwork because in the last few days, several arrests have been made of suspected female suicide bombers.”

According to residents of Maiduguri, Gamboru, being one of the biggest markets in the town, is usually densely populated and a beehive of activities.

Despite the series of attack across different communities in Borno, which is the state worst hit by the insurgency, the level of attacks in capital city Maiduguri has been relatively low.

However, the resurgence of bombings has created panic among residents of the town.

Mustapha Adamu, who resides in the area, spoke to TheCable on the fear of the people.

“We knew that this Boko Haram attacks would spread to Maiduguri gradually, but we were praying against such,” he said.

“Now that they have started fully, I don’t think I can stay in this town again. I have to go and join my family in Gombe, even though there is not so safe as well; I just think it is better than Borno.”

On Tuesday, two female suicide bombers struck at Monday market in Maiduguri, killing over 100 people.