Panic as explosion rocks residential area in Maiduguri (Photos/Video)
A bomb has exploded in a residential estate in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, destroying atleast twelve houses with no loss of life.
The explosion happened early Saturday morning at the 1,000 Housing estate, located along the Maiduguri-Damaturu expressway. Other places hit by the heavy explosions include – Maiduguri International Airport, Muslim Pilgrims Hajj Transit Camp and Gomari Airport Area which is located along Kano Road of Maiduguri Town.
According to eyewitnesses, living in the affected areas, the explosions started very early, a few minutes after some Muslim faithful returned from Subhi (early morning prayer) even as some Muslims were still praying in the mosque when the first two explosions at Gomari airport side were heard.
“The heavy explosion hit the areas simultaneously at interval of just 2-3 minutes where it fell residential buildings at 1000 Housing Estate and Muslims Hajj Transit Camp located along Kano Road near the 333 battalion, which presently houses the voluntary surrendered BHTs popularly known as repentant Boko Haram insurgents”. The witnesses said.
The military has cordoned off the estate, as they access the situation and secure residents.
Confirming the incident, a senior military officer with the NA 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri (name withheld) said that the ISWAP terrorists have been trying to penetrate into the Maiduguri city, since Friday night”.
“However, unfortunately for them, the military kept frustrating their efforts in what can be described as joint operations with the NAF JTF Team Operation Hadin Kai supporting the armoured and infantry teams with fighter jets to chase and clear them away”.
“They were further aircrafts on surveillance over night without rest throughout the night especially, within the state capital and environs which made them to hit the town from a nearby bush not far away from the city. They used rocket launcher explosives to target the Hajj Transit camp where the repentant Insurgents with their families are being accommodated by the state government. “
“However, there are no serious casualties and normalcy has returned to the city with people going about their businesses immediately after the sanitation period 10AM. You can go round and see for your self,” the military officer said.
Other residents interviewed on telephone conversation from Pompomari airport and Gomari Bus stop as well as 1000 Housing Estate, were of the view that the sudden attacks were accidental discharge from the Nigeria military either from Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri or Giwa Barrack Cashew Plantation.
But the Nigeria Air Force (NAN) has dismissed such claiming, adding that the heavy explosions were from the ISWAP terrorists, who wanted to penetrate into Maiduguri city since Friday night but faced resistance from the joint military and NAF counter attacks against the terrorists.
