Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed said at exactly 8 20 am a bomb exploded near the Baga road UBA branch which caused stampede as residents who had earlier came out for their daily activities rushed back home for fear of their lives. Many residents around the area were also reported to have run into different directions for safety, as members of the Operation Restore Order arrived and cordoned the whole area.
“I was scared when I heard the explosion because I had just passed the area. I was at Tashan Baga on my way to the shop. I was still waiting for the traffic warden to allow us to pass, when the bomb went off. I was confused whether to proceed or jump out of my car. Unfortunately, I just came to the town on Monday and I wanted to go and clean my shop since all my boys refused to return but the early morning blast forced me to abandon my plan,” a businessman told our correspondent.
In a press statement issued by the JTF, its spokesman Lt Colonel Hassan Mohammed said the incident claimed two lives while two others were injured and are now receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
He said the explosive which was believed to have been planted by the Boko Haram members exploded just at about the time people were coming out for their daily business.
Lt. Col Mohammed also explained that after the explosion, members of the sect fired sporadic gun shots and when the men of the JTF come they found two dead persons and two others, who sustained injury.
The JTF also called on the general public to go about their normal business, adding that security is a collective responsibility as such members of the public are advised to report any suspicious movement and those digging holes around their premises and major roads for the purpose of planting IED to harm innocent citizens to security agencies for prompt action.
Meanwhile, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday appealed to the Boko Haram to accept government offer of dialogue to end the crisis in Borno.
ACF Chairman Aliko Mohammed made the appeal when he led a delegation of the forum on a courtesy visit to Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno at government house, Maiduguri.
“You have spoken loud and clear, you have been heard, stop firing your guns and killing people and come to the peace table now,” Mohammed said.
He commended Shettima for his numerous efforts in initiating dialogue with members of the sect.
“The delegation and the ACF have no doubt in their minds that the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation offer the only viable prospect of sustainable peace now and in future.
“We have indeed no hesitation in endorsing the courageous position taken by the governor on the issue and urge him to pursue it to its logical conclusion,’’ Mohammed said.
He told the governor that his success depended on trust and confidence, and urged him to implement measures that would assure the insurgents of government’s good faith, and their personal security.
Mohammed said the visit was aimed at condoling with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident that had claimed many lives.
“We came here in response to our own feelings of outrage and horror seeing how an otherwise common place quarrel between members of the same family has degenerated into a savage fight.
“All northerners, all Nigerians and all people of goodwill everywhere are deeply saddened as the scenes of death and suffering in Maiduguri are flashed continuously over the world’s mass media channels,” Mohammed said
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