The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Triple suicide blasts hit Maiduguri

The bombings came two days after multiple suicide attacks near the strategic city that killed four members of the civilian joint taskforce (JTF).

The Boko Haram insurgency has intensified suicide attacks in and around Maiduguri in recent months after losing captured territory to the military

The bombings came two days after multiple suicide attacks near the strategic city that killed four members of the civilian joint taskforce (JTF) and injured two others.

"There have been three suicide bombings in the city this morning in which one civilian JTF was killed and one other wounded," a senior military officer, who asked not to be identified, said.

In the first blast, a female suicide bomber struck near a sprawling camp for displaced people in the Muna Garage area of the city at about 4:20 am (0320 GMT).

ADVERTISEMENT

Soon afterwards, another woman exploded her device in the nearby Muna Kuwait area. Neither blast caused casualties.

"The general assumption is that the explosives on the two female bombers went off prematurely before reaching their targets," said Musa Ari, a JTF member.

"They were obviously trying to sneak into either the IDP (internally displaced people) camp or neighbouring communities under the cover of darkness."

Twenty minutes later a male suicide bomber blew himself up in the Usmanti area of the city, killing a JTF member and injuring another, the officer said, an account supported by Ari.

The militia had tried to stop the bomber for questioning when they became suspicious of his movements, Ari said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 11 people in total were injured.

The Boko Haram insurgency has intensified suicide attacks in and around Maiduguri in recent months after losing captured territory to the military.

On March 22, four suicide blasts rocked the camp for the displaced in Muna, killing at least three and wounding 20 more.

Bombers -- most of them women and girls -- sneak into the city before dawn, often to attack mosques during morning prayers.

JTF patrols usually stop them, and the attackers often detonate the explosives prematurely to avoid arrest.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT