Three suicide bombers killed by their own bombs in failed Borno attacks

Three suicide bombers were on Sunday killed in unsuccessful attacks on Muna general area and Dusuma village.

The first bomber detonated his explosive at Muna garage near Gujeri fuel station, destroying 45,000 liters petrol tanker waiting to discharge fuel.

The second bomber also killed himself but injured an 80-year-old man who was providing security watch to Muslim worshippers at Dusuma village.

“The bomber attempt to gained entrance into the mosque but the old man approached and stopped him. He detonated himself and injured the 80-year-old man (name withheld). The man was rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital(UMTH),” a security source told TheCable.

The Borno police command through its spokesperson, Victor Isuku, has also confirmed the attack.

“At about 0438hrs, two male suicide bombers detonated Iprovised Explosive Divice strapped to their bodies by Alh Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area, Maiduguri killing themselves alone,” said Isuku.

“A truck was partly damaged. Also at Dusuma village in Jere local government area, a suicide bomber detonated his IED strapped on him killing himself, while one person was injured.”

Muna has suffered not less than seven different Boko Haram suicide bomb attacks.

The town’s borders are porous and it also contends with the congestion of motorists and transporters loading confinement to Lake Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

 

Source: The Cable

Many feared dead as suicide bombers hit Maiduguri

Suicide bombers have hit Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

It was gathered that the attack occurred at the Muna garage in Maiduguri, which was just recently attacked by the insurgents.

The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, North-East, Abdulkadir Ibrahim in a chat with newsmen.

According to Ibrahim, “It’s true, the incident occurred.

“Four suicide bombers at about 1am struck and several people died. I will send you more details soon.”

In a statement Ibrahim sent to newsmen, NEMA said the suicide bombers comprised of four female teenagers.

According to the statement, 6 people were killed in the attack and several others injured.

The statement reads, “Four female teenage suicide bombers killed two other men; 6 people died when they detonated explosives at Usmanti, along muna Garage road at about 1. 15 am.

“16 people who got injured were administered with first aid by rescue workers before being transported to the state specialist hospital and the University Teaching hospital in Maiduguri Borno state.”

Troops shoot dead two teenage female suicide bombers in Maiduguri

Two teenage female suicide bombers in explosive vests were shot dead by troops as they made an attempt to sneak into Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The civilian Joint Task Force sighted the girls in Ummarari village, along Mulai axis of Maiduguri-Damboa road in the outskirts of Maiduguri at the weekend but refused to stop when ordered to do so. They instead attempted to detonate their explosives, before the security operatives, also in the area, took them down.

Hours before the interception of the suicide bombers, soldiers had gunned down a Boko Haram kingpin during an operation that led to the rescue of 211 civilian captives from a Boko Haram den.

The civil society organizations and media executives from across the country, said after a meeting at the weekend that there was urgent need to halt the attack of the Nigerian Army by Amnesty International (AI) over the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram and attempts to divide the country.

President of COCMEGG, Kenneth Aigbegbele, said the AI report smacks of bias, capable of undermining the hard fought war by the army against the insurgents and could demoralise its personnel in their constitutional roles of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

COCMEGG said AI’s commentaries were unnecessary, distractive, unfair, and do not represent the true situation in the prosecution of the war against the insurgents by the Nigerian Army.

COCMEGG said AI strangely did not mention in its report nor suggest ways of providing support for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), nor proffer ways of rebuilding the devastated northeast or how to promote peace and tranquility in the country.

In a related development, Senate President Bukola Saraki has solicited the support of Germany in rebuilding north east, Nigeria.A statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu sent to The Guardian at the weekend, explained that the lawmakers discussed how to forge strong economic co-operation, rebuild the insurgency-ravaged north-east.

Saraki, accompanied by Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Naallah, Senators Enyinaya Abaribe, Monsurat Sunmonu and Abubakar Kyari, had meetings with the Vice President of the lower chamber of the German Parliament, the Bundestag, Mr. Johannes Singhammer, top officials of the think-tank group, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and others.

Similarly, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, has said the easiest way for government to permanently defeat insurgence and militancy in the country was to introduce subsidy in education sector.

Obasi spoke yesterday when he led the NANS to a thanksgiving service at the Faith Miracle International Church, Abuja, following the conclusion of its three-day prayer on the quick recovery and safe return of the president.

 

Source: The Guardian

Suicide bombers kill 26 at Iraq wedding celebration

Two suicide bombers attacked a celebration being held the night before a wedding north of Baghdad, killing 26 people, a police officer and a doctor said on Thursday.

The bombings in the Al-Hajaj area, north of the city of Tikrit, also wounded 25 people, the sources said.

“The first blew himself up at 8:30 pm (1730 GMT on Wednesday) amid men who were dancing during the celebration,” while the second attacked a few minutes later, a police lieutenant colonel said.

A doctor at a local hospital confirmed the toll.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State jihadist group carries out frequent suicide bombings targeting both civilians and members of the security forces in Iraq.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad, including swathes of Salaheddin province, where Wednesday’s attack occurred, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes and other support have since regained most of the territory they lost.

Iraqi forces are now fighting to retake west Mosul, the largest urban bastion still held by the jihadists in Iraq.

But recapturing Mosul and the other remaining parts of the country still held by IS will not eliminate its threat, and the group may increasingly turn to bombings such as those in Al-Hajaj if it no longer holds territory.

 

Source: The Guardian

JUST IN: Troops kill six ‘suicide bombers’ in Maiduguri

The Nigeria army on Thursday killed six suspected suicide bombers when they tried to storm into the town at the Mafa checkpoint, 9 kilometer to Maiduguri Capital, TheCable understands.

TheCable also learnt that the six Boko Haram militants came with three other suicide bombers who detonated their explosives at Muna motor park and Muna Dalti, a community located opposite an IDPs camp, killing two and injuring eight members of the civilian JTF.

A civilian JTF, Ba’ani Aliko, told TheCable that the incident took place around 11.30pm at Muna motor park while the other attack occurred at Muna Dalti around 2.02am on Friday.

Nine persons were killed, including the suicide bomber.

The security agencies are yet to issue a statement.

Source: The Cable

Suicide bombers attack Maiduguri, ’11 killed’.

At least 11 persons were killed as suicide bombers attacked Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Thursday night, witnesses and security sources said.

Nine suicide bombers were among the dead, they said.

Multiple explosions echoed across the city at about 11 p.m. on Thursday as three female suicide bombers detonated their explosive belts near Muna Garage, a popular bus station that has suffered many of such attacks in recent times.

The explosions killed two residents, witnesses said. But police said only the suicide bombers were killed in the attack.

Several commercial vehicles that were on queue for a trip to the border areas the next day were also razed in the explosion.

A witness, who identified himself as Ayuba Ibrahim, told journalists that seven Civilian-JTF operatives were injured, while all the suicide bombers died.

“But most of the trucks that were loaded with goods for export to Chad and the border communities were destroyed and commodities worth millions of naira may have been destroyed,” said Mr. Ibrahim, a businessman from Taraba State.

Civilian-JTF operatives said few hours after the Muna explosions, soldiers at Muna Dalti, a location about 1 kilometre away from the first explosion, shot six suicide bombers who were attempting to sneak into town at about 2 a.m.

Some Boko Haram gunmen who were riding on motorcycles accompanied the six suicide bombers, they said.

The Borno State police command confirmed the Muna Garage attack.

The spokesman for the Borno command, Victor Isukwu, a deputy superintendent of police, said only the suicide bombers died in the attack.

“Yesterday at about 2318hrs, a suicide bomber sneaked into the midst of 13 pick up trucks loaded with goods along Maiduguri/Mafa road, said to be awaiting departure to Gamboru Ngala early hours of today and detonated IEDs strapped on self,” he said.

“The resulting Explosion razed down the parked vehicles beyond recognition. EOD/Police patrol team was promptly deployed to the scene to restore safety & normalcy.

He also confirmed that soldiers had in the night spotted some persons on motorcycle and opened fire in their direction.

Suicide bombers now disguise as nursing mothers – Defence Headquarters

The defence headquarters (DHQ) has alerted residents of the north-east that female suicide bombers now disguise as nursing mothers to avoid detection by security personnel.

Rabe Abubakar, defence spokesman, revealed this in a statement issued on Friday.

He appealed members of the public to cooperate with security agencies carrying out “thorough security search and checks”, explaining that the traffic gridlock at military check points were not meant to cause public discomfort.

“Female suicide bombers are now evading detection from security operatives by carrying babies on their back, that ordinarily passes them for innocent nursing mothers,” he said.

“The two recent suicide bomb attacks in Madagali, Adamawa state, are instructive in this regard.

“Members of the public are therefore urged to always volunteer useful information to the military and other security agencies that would assist in exposing Boko Haram and their evil machinations in our society and to make our communities safe and secure for all to live.”

Suicide bombing has been the major challenge of security forces in the region.

Boko Haram insurgents have been unable to carry out organised attacks, but the sect still targets vulnerable people.

Suicide Bombers’ Attempts on Mosque and Security Post Foiled In Borno

Attempts by Suicide Bombers to attack a mosque and a security post in Borno State were foiled by vigilant security men and volunteers.

PRNigeria gathered that the incidents occurred at Usmanti and Kaleri area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The first attack occurred late midnight of Tuesday, January 24, 2017, when the suicide bomber targeted a security outpost in the area but was quickly spotted and was blown off after a shot from securitymen.  No casualty was involved except the male suicide bomber.

The second attempt occurred during the early morning prayer at 5:30 am today when two suicide bombers, a male, and female, attempted to enter a mosque while prayer was on.

They were spotted by security volunteers (Civilian JTF) who accosted them. The terrorists detonated their explosives which killed them on the spot and one security volunteer. Two other people were injured.

Meanwhile the Spokesperson of National Emergency Management Agency  (NEMA) in the North-East, Abdulkadir Ibrahim confirmed that rescue workers have evacuated the bodies to mortuary after the incidents.

 

Source: Sahara Reporters

Nigerian Army to give N500,000 reward for information on suicide bombers

The Nigerian Army says it is offering N500,000 reward for credible information that leads to the arrest of would-be suicide bombers or their hideouts.

The Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, disclosed this via a press statement on Tuesday.

The army had about three years ago promised a N50 million reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, said the army is worried by the disturbing proportion of suicide bombings in the north-east; particularly in Maiduguri and Madagali areas.

Dozens of people have been killed in the past few months by suicide bombers as the military continues the offensive against Boko Haram. The latest of such incident led to the death of the at least four people on Monday at the University of Maiduguri.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Army is offering a reward of the sum of N500,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of a suicide bomber, the guide to the suicide bomber, or discovery of the transit house or factory of the suicide bombers,” the statement reads.

He said the cash offer by the Nigerian Army “is to further encourage law abiding citizens to actively join the war against terrorists and our collective security”.

Mr. Usman assured prospective informants that “all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon with despatch.”

He gave the following numbers and officers to be contacted in case of any vital information:-

1. Theatre Commander, Operations LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri- 09064823221.

2. General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri- 09078599985.

3. Commander, 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri-08022375305

4. Commander, 28 Brigade, Mubi-08065504576.

5. Commander, 26 Brigade, Gwoza-+234 809 721 1700 (WhatsApp)

6. Director, Army Public Relations, Abuja-07080217992.

7. Commander, 7 Division Military Intelligence Brigade Maiduguri-09021668444.

Maiduguri blasts: Suicide bombers ‘hugged victims before explosion’ – Witness

Witnesses in Kaleri suburb of Maiduguri, Borno State, where two female suicide bombers attacked and killed two persons on Sunday, said the attackers hugged the victims first before the bombs went off.

Sources in the community, said the suicide bombers knocked on several doors begging for hot food or a place to sleep due to the extreme cold weather.

One of the sources who did not want to be quoted for her own safety, said, “They came to knock on my door at about 10p.m. And when I asked who was at the gate, a female voice said she was an IDP and that she needed shelter for the night because the outside was very cold. My daughter wanted to go and open the gate; but I had to stop her because it was an odd time for such visit and request”.

She said the unwelcomed visitor moved on to other houses and kept on knocking on doors.

“Some minutes later, we heard a female voice and some screaming asking to be let go, then suddenly we heard a deafening explosion,” she said.

“It was much later that we realised that it was the daughter of one of our neighbours that was hugged by the woman pretending to be IDP after the girl had opened the door for her.”

The second explosion in Kaleri occurred minutes later when a man, head of a household, was said to have fallen for the deceit of the Boko Haram female suicide bomber, who immediately hugged him as soon as he opened his gate to attend to her.

The doors and roofs of the attacked houses were all blown off due to the impact of the blasts.

Maiduguri residents are currently agitated by Boko Haram’s changing tactics.

JUST IN: Three killed as 5 suicide bombers hit Maiduguri in 3 hours

Five suicide bombers hit Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Sunday night, killing three people in two separate attacks separated by less than three hours.

 

The attacks, which happened at Garki Muna Village and Kaleri Area of Gwange, were confirmed on Monday morning by Victor Isuku, public relations officer of the police in the state.

 

“At about 2020hrs of yesterday 8/1/2017, three male suicide bombers shot sporadically and attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri via Garki Muna village close to a military checkpoint,” ISuku said in a statement.

 

“The IED strapped to their bodies exploded, killing all of them and a civilian JTF member. Two Ak47 rifles were recovered, while one was completely destroyed as a result of the explosion.

 

“Then about 2230hrs same date, there were two suicide bombers attack at Kaleri area of Gwange. Four persons, including two female suicide bombers, died in the explosion.

 

“Both scenes were swept and rendered safe for public access by personnel from EOD, FSARS and patrol teams of the command at the wee hours of today. Normalcy has since returned to these areas.”

 

The federal government and the Nigerian army had declared victory of Boko Haram in Sambisa.

 

The latest attacks  coincided with the 1,000th-day anniversary of the kidnap of schoolgirls from Chibok.

Suicide bombers killed in Maiduguri after blasts

Maiduguri, Borno state capital, was last night rocked by multiple blasts as two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers made yet another futile attempt to assault residents near a popular motor park.

Only the two male bombers died.

One of the suicide bombers detonated his device at Gariki near Muna Park.

The second attacker was shot dead by soldiers before his explosive device went off.

Police and officials of the Civilian-JTF confirmed the blasts.

Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isuku, wrote on WhatsApp that “preliminary information available is that the explosion occurred at Gariki Muna, which I understand is at the outskirts of town. But details will follow soonest”.

A leader of the Civilian-JTF, Danbatta Bello, said, “The situation has been put under (control) since last night. They were two suicide bombers, who came around Muna, one of them detonated his self; but no one except him was killed. But the second one was shot dead and the explosives on him later detonated”.

Muna Garage has since October, 2016 been attacked seven times by Boko Haram suicide bombers, who succeeded in killing some residents.

The park, mostly used by haulage trucks and by travelers heading for the border areas, is located along the Maiduguri-Gamboru-Ngala Road.

The park is also not far from the home of a local government chairman who was last week arrested, and is still detained by the military for alleged harbouring a suspected Boko Haram kingpin in his home.

FRESH: Three female suicide bombers shot dead in Adamawa

Three suspected  female suicide bombers were on Wednesday killed before they could enter a market in Gulak, headquarters of Madagali local government.

Yusuf Mohammed, chairman of the local government, confirmed the development, saying vigilantes sighted the suspected bombers from a distance.

He said the vigilantes, who were on patrol around the Bakin Dutse area, ordered the suspects to stop, but they refused.

“The shots by the vigilantes detonated the explosives on two of the suspected bombers,” he said.

“Although the explosive device on the third suspect did not set off, the explosion of the devices on the two other suspects, killed her.

“We suspect the bombers were on their way to Gulak market as today is the market day.”

When contacted, Akintoye Badare, spokesman of the 28 task-force battalion, Mubi, confirmed the incident, which he said occurred around 10am.

Badare did not say whether the suspected female bombers were children or adults.

“Things are now okay. Our men are at alert as usual,” Badare said.

On Tuesday, troops repelled attacks from some fleeing insurgents at Dar village in the same local government.

Boko Haram suicide bombers attack Cameroon.

Two young female suicide bombers attacked a town in Cameroon’s far north region early on Thursday, authorities said, the fourth strike near the Nigerian border by suspected Boko Haram militants this week.

 

One of the bombs exploded in Mora, killing the girl and wounding at least four people, said Babila Akaou, prefect of the Mayo-Sava department.

 

Locals killed the second bomber before her device detonated, he added, without going into further details.

 

Fighters from Boko Haram have killed thousands in their campaign to carve out an Islamist state in their base in northeast Nigeria and have also launched attacks in neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

 

The group has frequently used female bombers and children to hit targets.

 

The two girls, aged between 13 and 18, entered the town early on market day and were spotted by a watch committee, said Akaou.

 

“They were heading toward the market. They weren’t wearing shoes … which drew attention,” said a local named Abou. The girls passed by him around 7 a.m., he said.

 

Suicide bombers have launched attacks in Mora, about 30 km (20 miles) from the Nigerian border, several times before.

 

Similar attacks used to happen on an almost daily basis in Cameroon but the International Crisis Group reported this month that the frequency had fallen since September, leading analysts to believe Boko Haram was weakening there.

Suicide Bombers Detonate Explosives At Federal High Court In Maiduguri.

Three suicide bombers stormed the Federal High Court in Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri at 3.50 a.m. Friday morning, but the bombers could not do much damage as Nigerian mobile police officers stationed nearby were able to contain them, ensuring that their explosives had minimal impact.

A police statement disclosed that the bombers, two females and one male, had apparently planned to inflict death on the police and other security agents guarding the court. “By 3:50 a.m. today, mobile police personnel on guard duty opposite the Federal High Court sighted three suspected suicide bombers (two females and a male) running towards their sandbag,” said the statement. It added that the police ordered the suicide bombers to halt for interrogation. “In the process, one of them detonated the [improvised explosive device] strapped to her body, killing herself and one other male accomplice,” said the police, adding that the other female survivor “was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the military for further exploitation and necessary follow-up actions.”

Following the incident, police bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene and detonated unexploded IEDs on the bodies of the deceased suicide bombers. The police statement disclosed that the second set of explosions “was as a result of the demolition of the remaining IEDs by [the] police.”

According to the police, normalcy had been restored around the area.

Three suicide bombers stormed the  Federal High Court in Jidari Polo area of Maiduguri early morning on Friday.

The  bombers, however, could not do much damage as Nigerian police contingent stationed in a Catholic church nearby neutralized the bombers made up of a male and two females before they could inflict damage on the court.

Saharareporters  sources stated that one of the bombers, a female removed her suicide vest and ran towards the police with her hands raised and was captured alive.

A female bomber then detonated her bomb which killed her male accomplice.

Security sources in the stated told our reporter that only the suicide bombers died in the attack. The female bomber on the team who surrendered has been arrested and taken into custody by Nigerian troops.

Suicide Bombers Strike In Maiduguri

Three suicide bombers, two females and a male, on Friday struck in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with one detonating a bomb when intercepted by security personnel.

The spokesman of the police, Victor Isuku, said that the incident happened at 3:50am at Jiddari Polo area of the troubled town.

He said: “By 3:50am today, mobile police personnel on guard duty opposite the Federal High Court, Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri, sighted three suspected suicide bombers (two females & a male) running towards their sandbag. They ordered them to a halt for questioning. In the process, one of them detonated the IED strapped to her body, killing herself and one other male accomplice.

“The other female survivor was arrested alive and subsequently handed over to the military for further explanation and necessary follow-up actions.”

He added: “Police bomb disposal unit also mobilized to the scene to (defuse) unexploded IEDs on the bodies of the deceased suicide bombers.”

Isuku who revealed that there were two explosions, stated: “The second bang was as a result of the demolition of the remaining IEDs by police EOD units.”

He however said: “Normalcy has already been restored.”

Credit: thisdaylive

At least 2 dead as suicide bombers attack Maiduguri – Police

Suicide bombers attacked a checkpoint in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri, killing two of themselves before dawn Friday. Two other explosions occurred hours later.

 

It was the fifth attack in three weeks on the city that is the birthplace of Nigeria’s homegrown Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram.

 

Before 4 a.m. Friday, police challenged two women and a man running toward the checkpoint opposite the Federal High Court, deputy police superintendent Victor Isuku said. One woman detonated, killing herself and the male accomplice. The other woman has been arrested and is being interrogated, he said.

 

No details were immediately available about two blasts that rang out around 8 a.m. (0700 GMT).

 

Boko Haram has recently stepped up attacks after a months-long lull in their Islamic uprising that has killed more than 20,000 people over seven years.

 

Security forces have managed to foil most of the attacks.

 

On Oct. 29, two women suicide bombers blew up outside a refugee camp, killing five people. The next day, troops shot and killed a man with explosives strapped to his torso as he ran toward the same camp. On Nov. 1, a car bomb targeting a military checkpoint leading to Maiduguri exploded, killing all nine people in the vehicle. Last week, soldiers shot at three female suicide bombers, detonating some of their explosives and killing all three.

 

Nigerian troops this year have driven the insurgents out of most towns in the northeast. But now the insurgents are fleeing south into the central-eastern state of Taraba, the state director for Nigeria’s secret intelligence agency, Shehu Saulawa, told senators there on Thursday.

 

The insurgency has spread across Nigeria’s borders, forced some 2.6 million people, mainly farmers, from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis in which the United Nations says 14 million people face starvation.

Army kill 3 female suicide bombers in Maiduguri.

The Nigerian Army has neutralised three female suicide bombers in the early hours of Friday in Maiduguri, Channels Television reports.

 

The suicide bombers were spotted by the military patrol team along Maiduguri/Damboa road, near Mulai, by the military patrol team at about 5:30am, according to the Police Public Relations Officer in Borno, Victor Isuku.

 

The women who were sighted in Umulari village strapped Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) to their bodies.

 

The patrol team shot at the women as two of the IEDs exploded, killing all three of them.

 

The unexploded IED was detonated by the Police bomb disposal unit who were promptly mobilised to the scene.

Boko Haram: Troops kill three female suicide bombers

At about 12.25pm, three female suicide bombers attempted to attack a military location at Gwoza, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State one Thursday.

The suicide bombers came through Pulka axis.

They were sighted by members of the vigilante group from a distance and alerted the troops about the impending catastrophe.

The very observant vigilante also noted that the women looked suspicious, walking awkwardly, with bulging hijab and distinct from other female farmers.

When the suicide bombers noticed that they were being observed, they hurriedly ran towards troops, aiming to detonate their explosives on them.

The troops immediately killed two of the female suicide bombers, while the other ran back into the bush but was pursued.

Unfortunately, a soldier sustained injuries due to the impact of the explosion.

The wounded soldier is currently receiving treatment at a military medical centre and he is in stable condition.

Suicide Bombers Killed By Own Bombs In Maiduguri

At about midnight on Sunday when Muslim faithfuls were performing the vigil prayers associated with the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan, two deafening blasts echoed all over Maiduguri as two suicide bombers on a mission to attack innocent persons got killed by the explosives they wore on their bodies.

It did not occur to many that the blast was from an improvised bomb until much later on Monday when their corpses were found shredded by the bombs they coupled with their hands.

Residents close to the spot where the explosion occurred said they had earlier in the night noticed two strange persons lurking around under the dark shadows of some trees but could not sense that they had sinister motive.

“People thought they were probably going to the mosques nearby for prayers until a heavy sound came some minutes after 1 am,”, Aji Hassan told journalists who visited the neighbourhood to enquire about the blast.

Although the military has yet to issue any statement to that effect, the area has been cordoned off by uniformed personnel.

The incident has created fear in the minds of many residents of the city especially those temporarily residing in the mosque to perform the late night vigil that will continue to hold till the end of the Ramadan.

Credit: PremiumTimes

UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Number Of Child Suicide Bombers

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm over the increase in the number of children involved in suicide attacks in some West African countries.

The agency described those involved in the attacks as victims deceived into the act.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by UNICEF Regional Director for West/Central Africa, Mr Manuel Fontaine.

According to the statement, the affected countries are Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger with majority of them as females.

“The number of children involved in suicide attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger has risen sharply over the past years, from four in 2014 to 44 in 2015.

“More than 75 per cent of the children involved in the attacks were girls.

“These children are victims, not perpetrators, who are being deceived and forced to carry out deadly acts of violence in Nigeria and in neighbouring countries,” it said.

In the data released by UNICEF in the statement, Cameroon recorded the highest number of suicide attacks involving 21 children, followed by Nigeria with 17 children and Chad two between January 2014 and February 2016.

It added that the frequency of all suicide bombings increased from 32 in 2014 to 151 in 2015.

According to the statement, in 2015, 89 of the attacks were carried out in Nigeria, 39 in Cameroon, 16 in Chad and seven in Niger.

It added that the calculated use of children coerced into carrying bombs had created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.

The statement said it had devastating consequences for girls who had survived captivity and sexual violence by Boko Haram in Northeast Nigeria.

In addition, it said children who escaped from or were released by armed groups were often seen as potential security threats.

“Children born as a result of sexual violence also encounter stigma and discrimination in their villages, host communities, and in camps for internally displaced persons.’

“As suicide attacks involving children become common place, some communities are starting to see children as threats to their safety.
“This suspicion towards children can have destructive consequences,” it said.

The statement, however, said UNICEF was partnering with communities affected by terrorism and insecurity to fight stigmatisation against children, survivors of violence towards better environment.

Credit: NAN

Suicide Bombers Kill 6, Injure 30 In Cameroon

At least six civilians were killed and over 30 injured Wednesday in a double suicide attack in Cameroon’s northern border region with Nigeria, regularly attacked by Boko Haram fighters, security sources said.

“Six civilians were killed as well as two suicide bombers who blew themselves up” during a funeral wake in the village of Nguetchewe, the source told AFP, adding that between 30-50 people were injured.

A police source in the region said several children were among the victims.

How Suicide Bombers Attacked Chibok Market

At least 14 people were killed on Wednesday when two male and three female suicide bombers blew themselves up in a market in Chibok, Borno State.

The attack occurred nearly two years after 200 girls were abducted by Boko Haram militants in the town.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has been using suicide bombers since the Army expelled the group from much of the northern territory it had captured previously.

About 60 people, including two soldiers injured in the attack are receiving treatments in various hospitals in the state.

Reports say the suicide bombers stormed the sub market in Chibok on motorcycles at about 12.54PM local time, after which explosions were heard.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Boko Haram: NGO Calls For Urgent Action To Save Female Suicide Bombers

A Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), Girl-Child Rights Awareness Initiative in Africa, has called for urgent action against female suicide bombers in Nigeria.
The group made the call on Tuesday in Osogbo through its Executive Director, Mrs Tope Awe while reacting to latest suicide bombings in Madagali, Adamawa and Maiduguri, the Borno capital, said that the situation required quick action to save the girl-child.
According to her, the challenges facing the girl-child in the Northern part of the country is enormous to the extent that any other one like the present suicide bombing can be catastrophic.
She explained that young girls in northern Nigeria over time had battled the menace of child-marriage and illiteracy, and now had to live as potential suicide bombers.
The rights activist advocated proper and timely orientation of the girl-child “to galvanise them against the tricks of unscrupulous elements who take advantage of their naivety and innocency.
“The latest challenge facing the girl-child in the north eastern part of the country is worrisome and disheartening, the innocency of our girls is being destroyed.
“What is the fate of motherhood in an environment where young girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years carry Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to kill innocent citizens?.
“It is high time the National Orientation Agency (NOA)swings into action and collaborate with traditional institutions in those areas to sensitise vulnerable girls.
“Obviously, the future of any nation depends on the quality of motherhood the nation possess. Nigeria as a nation must strive to put a quick end to female suicide bombings.’’

 

 

(NAN)

More Explosions In Borno Capital After Morning Mosque Attack

Another attack has been launched in Maiduguri, the insurgency-ravaged capital of Borno State, witnesses and security sources say.

They said the latest explosions were detonated by suspected teenage girls. Many people are feared dead, and several others injured, witnesses said.

Yunusa Abdullahi, a civil servant who live in Jiddari Polo area of the city, said aside the mosque attack, two girls detonated explosives at a neighbourhood called Buraburin.

“A man saw two girls walking around and he tried to caution them to be careful as it was dangerous for them to be wandering when the two girls detonated themselves, killing the man and some other persons,” Mr. Abdullahi said.

“Since last night, residents have been finding undetonated bombs believed to have been abandoned by Boko Haram gunmen.

“We are under siege and we don’t know how many of these bombs or these female suicide bombers were sneaked into Maiduguri.”

The Borno State Police Command could not be reached at this time to comment for this story.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Nigerian Army, Boko Haram In Fatal Gun Battle, Suicide Bombers Strike

Gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram were on Sunday evening involved in a shoot-out with soldiers in Aladuwari village – about 2 km away from Maiduguri.

The attackers arrived the area at about 6 p.m. local time. Also at about 8 p.m., two suicide bombers, believed to be females, detonated explosives near FOMWAN school in Jiddari area of Maiduguri. The casualty figure from the explosions is yet to be ascertained.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Troops Foil Female Suicide Bombers’ Plan In Borno State

Nigerian troops and the Borno Youths Empowerment, otherwise known as Civilian JTF on Wednesday foiled planned attacks by four suicide bombers in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

A military source said at about 7.30am four female suicide bombers were intercepted by troops and the Civilian JTF, ahead of a checkpoint about 25km away from Maiduguri the capital of Borno State.

A spokesman for the military, Colonel Sani Usman, said preliminary investigation revealed that the suicide bombers were earlier observed trying to bypass a military checkpoint through a close by village before they were ordered to take the right road.

Few metres to the checkpoint, however, one of the bombers swiftly detonated her vest while the troops gunned down the other three suicide bombers before they could detonate their explosives.

Colonel Usman said one of the Civilian JTF died while four other persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device team in the area safely detonated the unexploded Improvised Explosive Device carried by the other suicide bombers,” he further stated.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Boko Haram Suicide Bombers Kill 8 In Cameroon

Eight people were killed and 21 wounded in a suspected suicide bombing by Boko Haram early on Friday morning in Cameroon’s Far North region, local officials said.

The Islamist militant group wants to establish an Islamic caliphate in northeastern Nigeria, and its attacks have spilled across the borders of neighboring countries.

“There were two suicide bombers,” said a local official. “Only the first bomb exploded.”

Along with Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin, Cameroon has contributed troops to an 8,700-strong regional task force dedicated to fighting Boko Haram. The United States has also sent troops to supply intelligence and other assistance.

Credit: Reuters

Boko Haram Suicide Bombers Kill 3 Nigerian Refugees In Cameroon

Two female suicide bombers, suspected of belonging to militant group Boko Haram?,? have killed three Nigerians in a truck full of refugees in a town in Cameroon’s far north region, a local government source, said.

Military sources had said earlier that they suspected the bombers’ target was a nearby mosque in Fotokol.

The first bomb went off during a security check and it was unclear if the second bomber had detonated her bomb or whether she had been killed first by Cameroonian forces.

Boko Haram insurgents had waged a six-year campaign of violence, killing thousands of people and displacing many from their communities in north eastern part of Nigeria.

Neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, joined forces against the group in 2014, as its offensive spread beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Credit: NAN

See Photos Of Suicide Bombers Behind Abuja Bombings

Boko Haram has  released the photos of three male suicide bombers who it said were behind Friday’s deadly attacks in Abuja.

The militants, who now prefer to be called Islamic State’s West Africa Province (Iswap), yesterday claimed responsibility on Twitter with photos of the three male suicide bombers.

See photos below:

1 11

 

 

Female Suicide Bombers Attack Maiduguri

Multiple female suicide bombers, yesterday evening, sneaked into Sageri, Ajilari and other communities on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State capital, and detonated bombs which left scores dead and many injured.

Ajilari ward, which is on outskirt of Maiduguri, had two days to Sallah, witnessed a suicide bomb attack which left over 100 people dead with 97 seriously injured.

The multiple explosions in Sageri and Ajilari occurred simultaneously at about 7:30p.m., after which men of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, responded with their artillery fire power.

A source close to the scene at Sageri said that the female suicide bombers who sneaked into the area on tricycles, detonated their explosives at a popular public gathering near at tea seller joint (Mai Shai).

Credit: vanguardngr

Two Suicide Bombers Strike Maiduguri Checkpoint, Kill Soldier

Two male suicide bombers creeping around a military checkpoint at about mid night Tuesday in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, set off the bombs they wore killing a soldier and injuring a young woman, security sources said.

The attack came after nearly four weeks of respite for the troubled city.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a witness, who is also commander of the youth vigilante, Civilian-JTF, in Ngomari Area of the city, told journalists that the two suicide bombers were killed instantly, alongside one of the airforce personnel on duty at the checkpoint.

“I was there on duty with the soldiers when the incident happened at about 11 p.m. At that time the curfew hours was getting serious and movements of both vehicles and pedestrians have begun to reduce,” said the Civilian-JTF Commander.

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How Cameraman, Police Saved Lives From Damaturu Suicide Attack

But for the extra vigilance of a cameraman and police officer at the scene of a suicide attack that killed eight persons at the outskirts of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, yesterday, more lives would have been wasted if one of the injured suicide bombers had succeeded in igniting a handbag filled with more bombs.

A group of suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers yesterday came in a convoy of two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander with a Bauchi State number plate -and a Ford Galaxy mini bus marked 2B 2108 and approached from Maiduguri towards Damaturu.

But police officers at the checkpoint stopped the two vehicle, as they curiously noticed the car leading the convoy with a strange tourists number plate. Upon interrogation, the visibly dishevelled
looking passengers claimed to be foreign diplomats travelling from Maiduguri to Damaturu.
Dissatisfied with their conduct, the police officers insisted on taking them to the station for proper interrogation.

But within seconds, the Toyota Highlander went off in massive explosion and flung most of the passengers out of the jeep in their dismembered form. Only the female passenger survived the explosion with an injury on her waist.

Four of the passengers inside the jeep were killed instantly alongside the three police officers who were closed to the jeep.
As more security operatives, aid workers and journalists arrived at the scene, the injured woman was seen on ground lying almost lifeless, as she intermittently called for help in Hausa language.

A camera man who was filming the injured woman that was moving suddenly sighted her trying to drag a reg handbag in front of her. But the cameraman quickly alerted a nearby police officer over the bid of the woman to hide the handbag under the veils she was wearing .
“As we sensed she was up to something sinister by trying to conceal the handbag under her veil, we immediately sensed she was trying to detonate bombs hidden inside the handbag”, said a police officer who sought anonymity.

“All threats to make her hand over the handbag proved abortive. So one of our men had to fire a shot at her from a distance in order to disarm her.
“And to our dismay, when the bomb experts from the Explosives Ordnance Department came and carefully opened the bag, we found five unit of live mortar explosives inside the handbag. It took extra care to defuse the explosives, because it is capable of causing massive destruction”.

NEWS ALERT: 11 Killed As Suicide Bombers Target Borno Highways

At least 11 people have been killed after two separate suicide bombings were carried out in Borno State by suspected female terrorists.

More than 20 people have been injured.

The State Police Commissioner, Aderemi Opadokun, confirmed the blasts on Friday. “There was an explosion at Malari village along Bama/Konduga Highway on 2/7/15 (Thursday) at about 1400 hours,” said Opadokun.

“A female suicide bomber detonated IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) strapped to her body, killing herself and seven others.”

He added that 13 persons sustained injuries in the first highway blast while another along Allau Dam road on Bama/Konduga Highway by a female suicide bomber also killed three other persons including the bomber.

“Corpses and injured victims evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH),” he said.

A security source said the two female bombers targeted crowded areas along the highway where locals sell fruits.

“Eight people including the Boko Haram bomber died in the first explosion while three were killed by the second blast along same highway, located southeast of the state, about 45 kilometres to Maiduguri,” said a source.

Meanwhile,  Opadokun confirmed an attack Boko Haram carried out in Kukawa, a community near the Lake Chad area on Wednesday. An unspecified number of people were killed and properties burnt. At least eight people are receiving treatment at UMTH.

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Mob Burns Woman To Death For Refusing Bomb Screening In Bauchi

A mob in the northeast Nigerian city of Bauchi on Sunday beat a woman to death and burnt her body over suspicion she was a suicide bomber, police and witnesses said.

“At about 0700 hours (0600 GMT), information at our disposal revealed that a yet to be identified lady who allegedly refused to allow herself to be screened at the entrance of Muda Lawal Market Bauchi was attacked by irate mob,” Bauchi state police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said in a statement.

He said the mob “set her ablaze,” adding that she died before police could rescue her.

Mohammed said police had deployed to the scene to disperse the mob but no arrest was made.

A witness, Isa Safiyanu, told AFP that the woman, who was accompanied by a man, raised suspicion when two bottles were found strapped to both sides of her waist after she refused to be frisked with a metal detector at the entrance of the bus statioN

“When her hijab was raised over her head two bottles were found strapped to her waist and the crowd descended on the young woman,” he said.

“They beat her to death and placed a used tyre on the body, sprinkled it with petrol and set it on fire,” he said.

According to a police source in the city who asked to remain anonymous, it was unlikely the woman was carrying explosives which would have exploded when her assailants attacked her.

“The only plausible explanation is she could have been sent on a test mission to see if it was possible to enter the bus station without being screened,” the source said.

The killing follows a spate of suicide bombings in recent days blamed on Boko Haram Islamists targeting bus stations in northern and central Nigeria.

#CyberParliament: Should Govt Ban Long Hijabs?

Following the unfortunate re- occurrence of suicide bombings and considering the amount of lives lost on each attack, the Nigerian society is cornered to look into the issue of wearing long Hijabs.

Now Nigeria as a nation believes in the freedom to the expression of various faiths and accommodates their doctrines within the umbrella of our constitution.

Again, the act of covering is a projection of the modest and chaste woman, which is encouraged by both morality and religion. But what do we do if this noble act of covering is used as a costume for a suicide bomber?

For the sake of our young girls who are mostly victims of this wickedness, the lives of great Nigerians that are being destroyed and for the preservation of modesty and morality.

On this Cyber Parliament, let us reason together. Should the Government consider banning Long Hijabs?

FG Uncovers Plans to Use Female Suicide Bombers During Elections

Federal Government said it had uncovered plans by some unscrupulous Nigerians to hijack and hand over Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to female suicide bombers to cause havoc in the February elections.

Mr Mike Omeri, Coordinator, National Information Centre, who disclosed this on Thursday while giving update on the security situation in the country, therefore, called on the people to remain vigilant.

“Recent intelligence reports indicate that some unscrupulous Nigerians have perfected plans to surreptitiously collect, buy or steal the PVCs of female voters.

“They will then hand over same to female suicide bombers and create access for them into polling centres where they will detonate bombs and kill unsuspecting voters.

“By this information, therefore, Nigerians, especially female voters, are warned to remain vigilant and also jealously guard and preserve their PVCs.

“This is to avoid the possibility of their PVCs being lost to these bad elements who will put them to untoward use,’’ Omeri said.

On the fight against insurgency, Omeri attributed the recent successes recorded by troops in the North- East to the “country-to-country” bilaterial agreements entered into by Nigeria with its neighbours.

He also attributed the successes to the enhanced coordination of operations by the Nigerian troops.

The coordinator said that the modalities for the operation of the 7,500 AU-backed multinational force to tackle the Boko Haram sect was being worked out at a summit in Cameroun on Thursday.

“In addition, the Chadian Chief of Defence Staff is currently in Nigeria to consolidate discussions on trans-border operations with his Nigerian counterpart,’’ he said.

Credit: NAN