Boko Haram: 16 killed in suicide attack in Maiduguri, 8 Chadian soldiers killed in clash with insurgents

Seven suicide bombers have attacked Maiduguri, Borno State capital, killing sixteen people.

Borno commissioner of police, Damian Chukwu gave details on the attacks that occurred on Sunday and Monday in a press briefing.

Chukwu said, “Yesterday (Sunday) 25th June 2017 at about 2221hrs. A male suicide bomber gained entry into the premises of University of Maiduguri and detonated PBIED on his body near the Rapid Response Services Office building.

“The suicide bomber died while three University security personnel on duty were injured.

“One of the injured security personnel, a female (whose identity was given as Becky Edubi), later died while being attended to at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”

He added that “In another development at about 2230hrs same night. Four (4) female suicide bombers infiltrated Zannari community in Gwange general area of Jere local government area. Two (2) of the suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies in two residential buildings.

He said the third bomber did not kill any persons.

“The third bomber detonated killing himself alone. The fourth female suicide bomber, identity not known, who was arrested also died the same night as a result of injuries she sustained.”
He also revealed that, “Yet in another development, today (Monday) at about 0408hrs. Two (2) female suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies within the premises of University of Maiduguri.

“One detonated close to the Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Centre Complex killing herself with no other casualty.

“The other suicide bomber detonated behind Works Department complex also killing herself with no other casualty.”

He said, “EOD/SARS and patrol teams were mobilised to the scenes,” disclosing that: “The dead and injured were evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”

He added that, “The EOD sanitized and rendered the various scenes and their neighbourhoods safe,” assuring members of the public that: “Normalcy has been restored.”

He said, “In all, sixteen (16) persons including the suicide bombers died in the multiple explosions while thirteen (13) persons were injured.”

Also eight Chadian soldiers were reportedly killed in fierce shooting with Boko Haram insurgents at the weekend on Islands on Lake Chad.

“Our forces attacked Boko Haram elements on five islands near Nigeria on June 24 and 25,” said spokesman Colonel Azem, indicating eight soldiers had died and another 18 were wounded.

According to Guardian, he also claimed troops had killed 162 jihadists from the Nigeria-based group.

Chad is part of a five-nation regional force comprising Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Benin fighting Boko Haram, which is blamed for killing at least 20,000 people and leaving another 2.6 million homeless.