By Olayemisi Abdul in Maiduguri
An explosion targeted at soldiers Maiduguri, capital of Borno state had today killed three persons and injured soldiers on peacekeeping duty eyewitnesses and military have said.
The blast occurred in the city’s most crowded commercial area, known as Post-Office at about 1pm.
Eyewitnesses said injured soldiers were seen dripping with blood with some lying on the floor near their badly damaged patrol vehicle.
A local commercial tricycle rider, Umar Gaji, told reporters that ‘I saw more than five persons battered by the explosion, but we could not say if they are dead or live because the soldiers near the round-about were shooting, and everyone was running for his dear life’.
Spokesman of JTF, Lt Col Sagir Musa, who confirmed the incident in a statement said three persons including a suicide bomber died, while two others were injured.
‘An Improvised Explosive Device targeted at JTF patrol team exploded at Post Office Round About in Maiduguri metropolis at about 1:00 pm today Wednesday 20 February, 2013. The explosion led to the death of 3 civilians including the bomber and wounded 2 others. A JTF vehicle was damaged’.
Similarly,the JTF spokesman disclosed that a certain cartel of fraudsters feigning to be Boko Haram have been sending threat messages to politicians and eminent persons with the aim of extorting cash from them
‘The attention of the Joint Task Force Operation RESTORE ORDER has been drawn to some leaflets allegedly printed and circulated by Boko Haram Terrorists containing message from leader of JAMA’ATU AHLUS SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL JIHAD Abubakar Shekau threatening and warning government, civil servants, politicians, traditional rulers and security agencies that the sect has not made any reconciliation with the government and that it has not declared cease fire.
‘The Task Force wishes to inform law abiding members of the public to totally disregard such publication and consider it as part of the terrorists’ propaganda strategy to keep the civil populace in captivity and perpetual fear with the view to unleashing more terror on innocent citizens.
‘Consequently, the JTF reiterates its determination to ensure the maintenance of law, order and safety of lives and property of all law abiding residents in Borno State’, said Lt Col Musa.
