A yet-to-be specified number of persons were feared dead on Monday night when three bomb blasts rocked the popular Monday market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and near a post office in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Three blasts were heard near a post office, a local market and a hospital in central Maiduguri, while another blast rocked the neighbourhood of Kaleri, all in the evening of Monday, two security sources and three Maiduguri residents told Reuters.
It was not immediately clear those behind the blasts, and the actual number of casualties is yet to be ascertained as of the time of this report.
The Nigerian military, in a statement earlier, said security forces had repelled attacks on the outskirts of Maiduguri by suspected Islamist insurgents in the early hours of Monday.
Reacting to the blasts, the state police command, through its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, said two blasts occurred in the state capital.
The command said: “Following reports of suspected explosions at Maiduguri Monday Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate at about 7:20 p.m., joint security operatives and emergency responders have been deployed.
“Police EOD Unit, Base 13 Maiduguri, is on ground. Residents are advised to remain calm and avoid the area while assessments continue. Further updates shortly.”
More details later……
