An early morning bomb explosion along Baga Road in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, created apprehension among the residents of the city yesterday.
The explosion occurred on a day the Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, confirmed that 13 people died and 40 were injured in the blast of Sunday night at the mammy market of Shandawanka Barracks in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from eyewitnesses that the Maiduguri bomb exploded around 8am on Monday.
“We were on duty at the bank when we heard a (loud) sound close by. We later discovered that it was a bomb planted at a roadside by unknown persons,” Simon Owoh, a security guard in a commercial bank, said.
Mr Owoh said the bomb was targeted at people passing by early in the morning. “We thank God that nobody was around when the explosion took place,” he added.
Lawal Abdullahi, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the story but declined to give details. Meanwhile, the police command in Borno had alerted the public over planned attacks by suspected Boko Haram members.
Mr Ihejirika, a lieutenant general, gave the casualty figure when he visited the scene of the incident in Bauchi, saying it was “unfortunate, an ugly development, and an act of terrorism.”
He said the Army must redouble its efforts, be fully equipped and better trained to forestall further any further occurrence in the country.
“The issue of security at mammy markets across the country is the collective responsibility of all because mammy markets are an interface where civilians and the military meet and interact. As you can see, this mammy market is located close to the major road. It is a market not just for the military but for all people living in the barracks.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that those who perpetrated this act of terrorism are arrested and brought to book.
“What has happened is a security challenge to the Nigerian Army and we must face it headlong,” said the Army chief, addressing soldiers at the 33 Artillery Brigade Headquarters in Bauchi.
Handwork of terrorists
The Chief of Army Chief said that “for now nobody is being suspected to have committed the offence given the types of explosives used. I can tell you that this act was carried out by terrorists, that’s all.”
He disclosed that the Nigerian Army was working on measures to help improve the capacity of the Army to combat terrorist acts like the present one, adding that efforts aimed at equipping and enhancing the capacity of the bomb detective and disposal units of the Army and the Police were underway.
Mr Ihejirika said that although no soldier was a casualty in the Bauchi explosions, some police officers were affected. However, relations and family members of some soldiers were also affected, adding that “no arrest has been made so far”.
“I want to assure you all that the Nigerian Army will not relent in its efforts at ensuring that Nigerians enjoy peace and security of their lives and properties.
“I want to urged you to take your training as a serious business. You must be very alert and you must also watch out for strange movements of persons and strange elements and characters around you,” he advised.
Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Jos, Sunday Idoko, has described the incident as “unfortunate and callous”. Mr Idoko said that three explosions took place at the mammy market in the barracks at about 8pm yesterday.
Mr Idoko, who was at the scene of the incident, called on the people to be very vigilant and report suspicious movement to the appropriate authorities for action.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the barracks, especially the mammy market where the explosion took place. Aggressive-looking soldiers were seen posted at all the gates of Shandawanka Barracks and its environs. The mammy market, which is a popular drinking joint in Bauchi, has been sealed off temporarily as a security measure.