34 killed, 39 injured by boko haram in maiduguri

Sani Usman

Boko Haram insurgents have killed over 34 people in Sajeri and Gwoza areas in Maiduguri, Borno State between Thursday and Friday.

Four female suicide bombers killed 13 people and injured 39 others in Sajeri while gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked Gwoza on Friday morning killing over 20 persons.

Confirming the development on Friday, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said that multiple explosions rocked the Sajeri area on Thursday, killing at least 13 persons and injuring 39 others.

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Usman also confirmed that the injured victims of the attacks, which were carried out by four female suicide bombers, had been taken to the hospital.

He said, “There were bomb explosions at Sajeri, Maiduguri on Thursday. Troops, security, and emergency management were mobilised to the location. Although details are sketchy, four Boko Haram terrorists’ suicide bombers detonated their vests simultaneously.

“Three of them in the same area and the fourth detonated in front of a mosque. It has been confirmed that 14 people lost their lives and the 39 wounded people have been evacuated to the hospital.”

He, however, assured residents in the area that everything was being done to ensure their safety.

“We appeal to the people and residents in the affected area to remain calm. Everything is being done to secure lives and property,” he said.

Over 20 people were also said to have been killed when gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gwoza in Maiduguri, on Friday.

The Executive Director, Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, who quoted military sources in an interview with naijatonic, said that the insurgents overran the town as early as 7.30am killing many people.

Gwoza was the first town to be declared Muslim caliphate by the insurgents on August 14, 2014, but it was later reclaimed by the military this year.

Lipdo expressed worry that the insurgents were still allowed to prowl about even when they had been chased out from some places.

He called on the military to maintain effective presence in places where the insurgents had been chased away from.

The attack on Gwoza came less than 24 hours after the insurgents attacked Kinchinga village in Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa State slitting the throats of five people.

Boko Haram insurgents have increasingly used suicide bombers to target civilians. On September 20, 2015, at least 117 people were killed in similar attacks in the city of Maiduguri.

The Boko Haram insurgency has also claimed more than 1,260 lives in the country since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.