Scores of people have been feared dead after fresh multiple explosions believed to have been perpetrated by Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram, rocked Ajilari Railway cross in Gomari Airport way, Maiduguri. Several others were critically injured, according residents living around the affected areas.
Ajilari cross is an outskirt of Maiduguri which has suffered several Boko Haram attacks in recent times. The explosions which were suspected to have been masterminded by suicide bombers occurred simultaneously at about 7:38pm, while the last one took place at about 8pm which forced many residents to flee into the city for safety.
A survivor, Mallam Ali Babagana told Vanguard on phone that the incident occurred at a popular telecommunication service point where many people gathered to buy GSM recharge cards and transact other petty businesses. “I was close to the scene of the multiple blasts, but God (Allah) saved my life as many were feared dead and injured. I saw many shattered bodies of human beings at the scene before I ran away for my dear life,” Babagana said.
This incident came at time the Nigerian Army said the group is in disarray. According to a statement by the army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, through PR Nigeria. The statement reads: “The military offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists is becoming more unbearable on them as they flee their camps abandoning vehicles, flags and foodstuffs at Kotambe Kote and Jere axis.
“In a related development, troops of 101 Battalion along with members of Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team, today successfully detonated two bicycles laden with primed improvised explosive devices at Awaisari village near Alou Dam.”
In another development according to Vanguard, some suspected members of Boko Haram sect ambushed an operational vehicles of security forces along Maiduguri-Dikwa- Gamboru Ngala road on Saturday. Dikwa and Ngala were captured by terrorists two months ago, but recently the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai led some troops to recapture the two towns from the insurgents.
Due to poor telecommunications networks in the area, details of casualties on the side of the security operatives and the terrorists were sketchy, but sources said, both sides suffered severe casualties during the ambush.
