Suicide bombers ‘kill 5’ as Osinbajo leaves Borno

Two suicide bombers struck around a hospital in Molai village, 40 kilometres from Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, on Wednesday, killing five persons.

A security source told TheCable that the incident happened just as Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice-president, was leaving the state after a surprise visit.

“Five people died in the attack and many sustained injuries,” he said.

“The suicide bombers blew themselves up after they were prevented from gaining access to the hospital and the explosion affected those around there.”

The Boko Haram isurgents have resorted to suicide attacks since security personnel overpowered and chased them out of territories that they seized  during the heat of the insurgency.

Meanwhile, Osinbajo has commended the Borno state government and the agencies taking care of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in different camps across the state.

Addressing journalists at the end of his visit to some of the camps, the vice-president said the federal government was committed to ensuring that the IDPs return to their respective homes.

“I am here on the instruction of the president to do on-the-spot check on the physical situation at the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, and to see the true situation around Borno and get to be sure of what exactly is going on,” he said.

“This I have done; of course you were with us at the IDPs camps, we were able to meet with the people and see how they lived and how they have been taken care of.

“Clearly the state government is doing an incredible job, NEMA is also doing an excellent job.

“The next phase is resettling the displaced persons in their communities in their homes, that is the most important thing in the next stage, and that is why I am here to understand the financial implication of that project; what are the material requirements, what the logistics will be, etc.

“That is exactly what we are trying to work out; we are trying to see for ourselves how and what needs to be done in this next phase.

“The federal government is committed to ensuring that all those displaced return to their homes and as much as possible we are able to rehabilitate them, rebuild their homes, markets, rebuild the basic infrastructure that is necessary so that they can go back home and continue with their lives.

“I have seen for myself and I have also had extensive discussions with stakeholders and I think I have a fair idea of what needs to be done.

“I am still going to come back as discussions are ongoing; we are not done yet, lots of plans are required.”