Borno Mosque Bomb Explosion, Handiwork of Suspected Boko Haram Suicide Bomber – Nigerian Army
By Felix Mordi
The Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has put to rest speculation on who was responsible for the Christmas eve’s disaster in a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno, where a bomb explosion killed three persons and injured 32.
The explosion, in a mosque within Gamboru Market in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) at about 6:00pm, spokesman of the Theatre Command, Lt. Col Sani Uba, disclosed, was at the instance of a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber.
Uba said in a statement that preliminary investigation showed that the suspected Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) suicide bomber, detonated an improvised explosive device, that killed him and two civilians, adding that 32 civilians sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“But two of the injured civilians were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others are currently in critical condition,” he said.”
He further stated that the casualties were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital and the Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri, for prompt medical attention, adding that” The remaining injured persons are stable and receiving appropriate medical care.”
According to the statement, “The Troops, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, other sister security agencies, Borno State Government, and NEMA, responded promptly, secured, and cordoned off the affected area to prevent further harm and ensure public safety.”
The statement, however, assured residents of their safety at this festive period, saying the troops and other security agencies have since intensified surveillance and security measures within Maiduguri and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, condemning the incident, stated that it would not deter the country’s resolve to confront insecurity headlong, an assertion that was corroborated by Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha,
Nkwocha, in a statement on Thursday, December 25, quoted the Vice President as saying security agencies are working to apprehend the culprits.
“The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation. Our security agencies are working around the clock to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice immediately,” the statement disclosed.
