Eight killed as suicide bombers hit Maiduguri (UPDATED)

Eight people have been confirmed dead in several explosions that hit Maiduguri, the Borno state capital late on Sunday, January 8.

Picture of suicide bomber killed by Nigerian Army troops. Photo: Premium Times

Daily Trust reports that according to local sources, a Boko Haram suicide bomber attacked a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) check point around Muna garage while another set of bombers attacked Kalleri ward.

It quoted a resident Alhaji Mala as saying: "We lost three people in Kalleri last night to the bombers; they would knocked on the our doors when we open, they quickly grabbed people and detonated IEDs.”

Premium Times reports that five suicide bombers who stormed the area with guns also died in the attack.

Two male bombers, it said, died after one detonated his bomb at Gariki near Muna Park and the second was shot dead by soldiers before his explosive device went off.

The police and officials of the Civilian-JTF have confirmed the incident.

Victor Isuku, the police spokesperson in the state, said: “At about 2020hrs (10.20pm) of yesterday 8/1/2017, three male suicide bombers shot sporadically and attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri via Garki Muna village close to a military checkpoint.

“The IED strapped to their bodies exploded killing all of them, and a Civilian-JTF.

“Two Ak47 rifles were recovered, while one was completely destroyed as a result of the explosion.

“Then about 2230hrs same date, there were two suicide bombers attack at Kaleri area of Gwange. Four persons including two female suicide bombers died in the explosion. Both scenes were swept and rendered safe for public access by personnel from EOD, FSARS and patrol teams of the command at the wee hours of today. Normalcy has since returned to these areas."

Danbatta Bello, a leader of the Civilian-JTF, confirmed some aspects of the police report, saying:“The situation has been put under (control) since last night. They were two suicide bombers, who came around Muna, one of them detonated his self; but no one except him was killed. But the second one was shot dead and the explosives on him later detonated.”

The attack comes just hours after scores were reportedly killed and many more injured, following a fatal attack by the Boko Haram sect in the Bin Yadi area of Yobe state capital, Damaturu.

The number of casualties is yet to be ascertained, though it has been confirmed that soldiers were killed after insurgents attacked an Army brigade in Buni Yadi, on Saturday, January 7.