A loud explosion occurred Tuesday morning at one of Maiduguri’s markets close to the PHCN(Power Holding Company of Nigeria)building .The explosion went off at about 8:20 am local time.
Though the casualty figure could not be immediately confirmed, a correspondent said many were feared killed.
It was learnt that several almajiri’s may have been among the victims because they usually mill around the market.
This explosion occurred days after reported attacks on villages near chibok where many people were killed.Chibok is the town from which over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram more than two months ago.The search for the girls continues.
The blast today also came a day after the Defence Headquarters announced that it has bust the terrorists’ intelligence network with several arrests in tow.
Reports later said at least 10 people were killed in Tuesday’s blast at Maiduguri’s Monday Market.Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State also visited where the injured were rushed to and sympathized with them
Also, Northern Delegates Forum at the ongong National Conference said Tuesday that “ The spade of bomb blasts which have killed innocent Nigerians has become serious source of concern Northern Delegates Forum and for all Nigerians.Hence the call for an end to such dastardly act purported to be for God.”
A statement by the Forum’s spokesman ,Anthony Sani said “Northern Delegates Forum is very disturbed because the destruction of lives and property have far reaching implications for socioeconomic and political development of those affected and of Nigeria.Most of all,they are internecine because such terrorism hardly wins the wars which they fight across the world.Only constructive engagements have so far addressed concerns of the insurgents.Where that has been the experiences across the world that the insurgents and the state must end up at the negotiation table,then one wonders the wisdom of waste of human lives through violent activities.
“It is agains this backdrop that Northern Delegates Forum wishes to condemn the killing of Nigerians,including children and women by bomb blasts and gun men,and appeals to perpetrators of such acts to put an end to the dastardly act in favor of civilized approach of addressing any perceived concern.The insurgents must note that apart from their desecrating the name of God through violence,they must also note that no nation or society thrives on the victory of its faction but through ultimate reconciliation.
“So stop the killings and embrace peaceful method of addressing concerns”, the forum said.
