16 Killed in Multiple Suicide Attacks on Maiduguri

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Sixteen persons were killed in multiple suicide attacks on Maiduguri on Sunday and Monday by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, the Borno State Police Command has said.

Three of the suicide attacks were launched at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) where a security man was killed.

Speaking during a press briefing in Maiduguri Monday, the state command’s Commissioner of Police Damien Chukwu said: “(Sunday) 25th June, 2017 at about 2221hrs, a male suicide bomber gained entry into the premises of University of Maiduguri and detonated PBIED on his body near the Rapid Response Services Office building.

“The suicide bomber died while three (3) university security personnel on duty were injured.

“One of the injured security personnel, a female, whose identity was given as Becky Edubi, later died while being attended to at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”

He added that: “In another development at about 2230hrs same night, four (4) female suicide bombers infiltrated Zannari community in Gwange general area of Jere Local Government Area. Two (2) of the suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies in two residential buildings.

“The bombers died killing eight other persons while 11 others were injured.

“The third bomber detonated killing himself alone. The fourth female suicide bomber, identity not known, who was arrested, also died the same night as a result of injuries she sustained.”

According to the police commissioner, “Yet in another development, today (Monday) at about 0408hrs. Two (2) female suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies within the premises of University of Maiduguri.

“One detonated close to the Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Centre Complex killing herself with no other casualty.

“The other suicide bomber detonated behind Works Department complex also killing herself with no other casualty.”

“EOD/SARS and patrol teams were mobilised to the scenes,” adding that: “The dead and injured were evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”

“The EOD sanitised and rendered the various scenes and their neighbourhoods safe,” he said, assuring members of the public that: “Normalcy has been restored.”

He said: “In all, sixteen (16) persons including the suicide bombers died in the multiple explosions while thirteen (13) persons were injured.”