Panic in Maiduguri over ‘trial’ explosions

There were explosions in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, on Sunday morning, sparking fears that there might have been another attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

However, the Nigerian army urged residents of the town not to panic over the explosions.

Tukur Gusau, spokesman of the division 7 of the army, said they were as a result of the testing of military equipment.

“It is a routine test firing of our weapons to ensure that they are in a state of readiness,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Borno has come under numerous attacks from Boko Haram insurgents despite efforts of the government to check the rising wave of insecurity.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to bring an end to the activities of Boko Haram by December.

Yushau Abubakar, theater commander, operation ‘Lafiya Dole’, described suicide bombings as attempts to distract the military from meeting the December target.

He added that some suspects have been arrested in connection with recent attacks in Maiduguri.

“I want to assure all that for every second that passes, we get more committed to fighting the insurgents; we cannot be deterred,” he told NAN.

“We are doing as much as we could to ensure that we completely eradicate the insurgents as quickly as possible because we are aware of the timeline within which to complete the task.

“We searched the houses and certain items that we recovered at the vicinity, gave us some clues. Investigation on those that we suspect that are either participating or hiding, fueling or conniving with those that carried out those acts, is ongoing. They will be exposed in due course.”