~by Silas J. Odhiambo
Suspected deadly Jihadist Attacks rocks Nigeria’s Maiduguri city.
On Thursday, at least six people were killed and scores injured at Maiduguri City, one of the last safe havens in northeastern Nigeria, following two lethal attacks by suspected Jihadist Militants.
According to a resident, the first blast occurred at Gwannge, a residential area, at around 6 pm. While confirming this attack, Borno Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, reported that at least 2 were killed and sixteen injured. He added that the cause of the attack was yet to be ascertained.
At night, approximately 10 hours later, another blast was witnessed where cars are sold at Mairi village.
Speaking shortly after this second attack, the head of security for Borno state’s Emergency Management Agency, Bello Danbatta, said that “Three rocket-propelled explosives were fired from outside the city and landed on separate sites, killing four people and injuring three, as residents were preparing for Eid celebrations.”
Maiduguri is the capital and the largest city of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, the birthplace and headquarters of Boko Haram, one of the most lethal terror groups in the world.
Since 2009, Boko Haram has conducted a series of attacks in the town, home to million Nigerians, killing thousands. Many parts of northeastern Nigeria are currently no-go zones due to the presence of jihadist groups.