Car bomb kills 19 in Borno

After a long lull, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was in turmoil yesterday.
A car bomb killed 19 people and injured 40, according to witnesses.

But, it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the explosion, which destroyed cars and caused panic in the city.
The bomb, planted in a three-wheel rickshaw taxi, exploded outside the state television offices at around 1.30 pm (1230 GMT), witnesses told Reuters.

“My men counted 17 dead as at 2:00 pm and they are still counting. I have instructed my men to go to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the state specialist hospital to verify if there are others,” said Borno Police Commissioner Lawan Tanko.

“I saw two boys on the ground and their bodies cut into pieces. Two other cars immediately caught fire and I ran away because there was too much blood,” city resident Aisha Hassan said.

Soldiers fired shots into the air to disperse crowds before cordoning off the roads around the bomb site, witnesses said.

Dozens of youths, some armed with machetes, protested on the street after the attack, accusing politicians of failing to curb violence in Maiduguri.

Yesterday was public holiday when millions of Muslims marked the birth of Prophet Mohammad.

Also yesterday, the Commanding Officer of a Special Operative Battalion in Mubi, Adamawa State, Lt.-Col. Beyidi Martins, said the military killed 13 suspected members of Boko Haram in a battle last December.

He said two notorious members of the sect, who had been on the wanted list of the military, were among those killed, adding that they were responsible for terrorising the ancient city and its environ.

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima condemned the explosion, which came at a time return of peace was being celebrated by residents.

Shettima described the incident as “most cruel, evil and inhuman”, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau.

The governor expressed his deep condolences to the families and friends of all the victims and prayed for the repose of those who died and the quick recovery of the injured.

He directed security agents to probe the incident, which resulted in a youths rampage that led to the breakdown of law and order.

The governor also condemned riots in the last three days in the state capital, which he described as “unfortunate” and “avoidable”.

Shettima directed the Ministry of Health to ensure proper medication for all those injured. The government is to bear all costs of treatment.

SOURCE:NE