Boko Haram Attacks Madagali, 11 Killed, 14 Injured as U.S Partners Nigeria to Restore Civil Authority

By Daji Sani and Michael Olugbode
 

Triple bomb blasts, which had all the trappings of the notorious Boko Haram terrorists, rocked Madagali town in Adamawa State yesterday morning, killing 11 people and injuring 14 others, who are now receiving treatment at the general hospital in Michika.

 The blasts came just as the United States government on Friday said it was partnering with Nigeria to re-establish civil authorities in part of the North East ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.

An eyewitness said three female suicide bombers blew up themselves as they approached a check point, where local vigilantes screen those entering the town.

“They blew up themselves after they were intercepted by local vigilantes stationed at the check point and two vigilantes lost their lives in the process,” said an eyewitness, who gave his name as Abawu.

The eyewitness claimed that after the incident occurred, the Red Cross and the military evacuated 11 bodies and rushed 14 persons injured to the General Hospital in Michika for treatment.

Confirming the attack, the state coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Saad Bello said 14 people were injured in the bomb blast but that one of them died before reaching the hospital in Michika.

As at the time of sending this report, he said the number of dead was yet to be ascertained, but promised to make the figure available as soon it was known.

When contacted, the chairman of Madagali Local Government Council, Yusuf Muhammad Gulak, confirmed the incident, saying the casualty figure was yet to be established.

“Presently, I am on my way to the town, but I was reliably told that the incidence occurred at the entrance of the town where people gather for screening before getting to the town.

“You know today is the market day, and probably the suicide bombers might be aiming at the market where people do business and other transactions. I am yet to get the casualty details,” the chairman said.

Also confirming the blast, the member representing Madagali and Michika Federal constituency, Mr. Adamu Kamale said: “We woke up again today with yet another sad development, as at 8:30 am we got reports that bombs exploded at a check point in Madagali.

“Though, we are yet to get details of loss of lives but we heard that there were injured people. This is series of attacks that we have been witnessed in the recent time, and there is need for more efforts regarding curbing areas that are closed to Sambisa,” said the lawmaker.

The spokesman of the 28Th Task Force Battalion, Major Akintoye Badare said he was yet to get the number of dead.  “I am yet to get details now. I will get back to you in two hours,” he said.

The attacks followed a series of gun and bomb attacks in the recent time by suspected Boko Haram militants, as it could be recalled on January 4, three female suicide bombers were intercepted at Bakin Dutse on their way to Gulak, the administrative headquarters of Madagali.

Reports from the area indicated that the insurgents were making frantic efforts to recapture their enclaves in Sambisa forest. 

A military top official said the insurgents were already defeated but that they were trying hard to regroup, saying the military was already aware of their mode of operations.

He called on the public to go about their normal business transaction, adding that the military was on top of the situation.

On the side of the Adamawa State Government, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmed Sajoh condemned the attack, saying that what happened indicated that the military was on top of the situation. He said the insurgents intended to blow off Madagali market but that they were intercepted at the check point which averted the level of damage they would have caused in Madagali.

“Many will have lost their lives but thank God for the security men who intercepted them at the check point because their target was Madagali market where there are a lot of people buying and selling today, which is day slated for Madagili weekly market,” he said.

He said, “The Adamawa State government expresses its appreciation to the military for a good job, if not, many people would have been killed by the bomb blast.”

Sajoh said “the Governor, Senator Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow empathises and sympathises with the victims of the attack,” and added that the government has deployed medical workers to the areas.

He said the government had resolved to support security agents manning the state, adding that security was the foremost priority of the Bindow administration. 

He said the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained, adding that security agents were already on top of the situation.

Speaking at the donation of eight general purpose modular tents to the Nigerian Police in Maiduguri, the Director, U.S. International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Nigeria, Rosalyn Wiese said: “The United States is partnering with the Government of Nigeria to support efforts to deploy additional civilian security, particularly police, to northeast Nigeria.”

She said: “We understand there are many areas that were ravaged by Boko Haram and many government buildings including police stations and barracks are still being rebuilt. 

“We applaud Borno State and the Federal Government for prioritising reconstruction and increasing police presence in the areas that have been returned to government control. In these areas, it is crucial that there be a successful transition to community-oriented policing, that focuses on working closely with all members of the community, to build trust, establish relationships, and improve communication.

“Police officers will need to work with community leaders to provide a secure environment where citizens have access to all of the basic services to which they are entitled.”

Wiese revealed that: “We are also working with the NPF to improve training and equipment for police in the northeast. As one part of this programme, we aim to ensure that human rights and gender sensitive training is provided to police elements who will be interacting with vulnerable populations.”

She said: “The U.S. Embassy looks forward to continuing to support the Nigeria Police Force as part of our mutual commitment to build the long-term institutional capacity of the Police and to support efforts to bring peace to all areas in Nigeria.”

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris thanked the United States Government and promised that the tents will be judiciously put to use and well maintained.

Idris, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 12, Yakubu Jibrin called on other foreign governments, international non-governmental organisations and donor agencies to emulate the US Government by extending their hands of fellowship.