bomb blast

By Uzair Adam

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has sympathised with victims of a deadly explosion suspected to have been triggered by Boko Haram insurgents along the Maiduguri–Damboa highway.

The attack, believed to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), claimed the lives of eight civilians and left 21 others injured on Saturday.

The victims were travelling in civilian vehicles when the blast occurred.Fourteen of the injured sustained serious injuries, while seven others were treated for minor wounds at the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.

Speaking during a visit to the hospital, Governor Zulum described the incident as deeply regrettable, noting that Borno had not witnessed an IED-related attack in over a year.

“It is unfortunate this is happening now. We haven’t witnessed an IED attack for over a year,” the governor stated, pointing out that the highway had been closed for a month before the tragic incident.

Zulum expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

He reiterated his administration’s unwavering support for the Nigerian military and other security agencies, urging them to step up surveillance along the highway to avert further attacks.

He stressed that the state government would continue working closely with the federal government and security forces to address the security challenges posed by insurgents.

“I assure the people of Borno that, ‘Insha Allah’, under my leadership, we will not allow the security situation to worsen,” he added.

The governor also pledged to strengthen community-based security efforts, particularly by supporting the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and youth volunteers involved in counter-insurgency operations.

Commenting on a recent security meeting held in Abuja with military chiefs, Zulum said the discussions were fruitful, especially concerning the resurgence of Boko Haram activities.

“We met with the service chiefs in Abuja and received assurances from them that they would do everything possible to manage the situation,” he said.

The Borno State government has called for stronger collaboration between local intelligence networks and security agencies to improve early warning systems and prevent similar attacks in the future.

By Abdullahi Khairallah

Jaiz Bank of Nigeria has donated 10 million Naira to provide medical support to the victims of the recent Gwoza bomb blast in Borno State. The bank presented the cheque as part of its corporate social responsibility to the community.

Receiving the delegation at the Council Chamber Government House Maiduguri, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, received the cheque for onward disbursement to the victims of the bomb blast. He assured that the medical support would be channelled appropriately to the victims while thanking the bank’s board and management for their gesture and support to the people and government of Borno State.

Earlier, while presenting the donation to the Acting Governor, Dr Kadafur, the chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, Alhaji Muhammed Mustapha Bintube, said the bank’s board and management considered it necessary to contribute their quota and complement the efforts of the state government in supporting the victims in this trying time.

“This unfortunate and needless loss of lives is indeed a colossal loss not only to the Gwoza community but also to Borno state and the county at large.

“We sincerely empathise with the affected families and extend our hands of affinity to the Gwoza Community and the entire people of the state,” Bintube said.

He commended the state governor and his deputy for their good work for the people and assured them of the bank’s continuous support for the government and the people of Borno State.

Malam Mustapha Bintube prayed to Allah to forestall future mishaps and ensure a quick return to peace in the state.

Present at the gathering include Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, Acting Head of Service Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, Commissioner for Transport and Energy Hon. Aliyu Lawan Buba, Commissioner for Local Government And Emirate Affairs, Alhaji Sugun Mai Mele, Permanent Secretary Administration and General Services Governor’s Office Dr. Muhammed Ghuluze, APC Party chairman Gwoza local government, Abdullahi Danjatau, Council Secretary Hajiya Fatima Musa, Special Advisers, among others.

By Abdullahi Khairalla

Borno State Police Command has confirmed that eight people were killed and fifteen others sustained various degrees of injuries following a bomb explosion in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, which is about 100 kilometres away from Maiduguri.

Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso reported that the tragic incident occurred on June 29, 2024, at approximately 15:40 hours. 

The command further notes that ” a woman carrying a baby detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a busy motor park in Mararaba T. Junction in Gwoza town. 

The explosion claimed the lives of the woman, her baby, and six others, with fifteen individuals who sustained injuries currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Gwoza”.

This is happening in the wake of the cropping season, which many observe is part of the sinister efforts of the insurgents to cause havoc and instil fear in the people, thereby preventing them from accessing their farmlands.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A group of men apprehended an unidentified man attempting to detonate a bomb at a bank in Plateau State on Monday, May 13.

The incident occurred in Dadin Kowa town, Jos South.

Vigilante security at the bank thwarted the attack after noticing the suspect.

Enraged, a mob attacked the suspect, calling for his execution.

It remains unclear if the suspect is linked to any terrorist organization.

He has been handed over to the police for further investigation.

According to a BBC report, “at least 16 people are dead and 32 injured after an explosion hit a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in the Afghan city of Kandahar.”

This act of terrorism has continued to pester among the Muslim communities in Afghanistan and elsewhere in various Muslim nations, with no clear cause and motive behind it. Such killings are perpetrated in order to tarnish the image of Islam and continue to ridicule the religion in the sight of others.

The recent “blast occurred at the Iman Bargah mosque. Pictures from the scene show shattered windows and bodies lying on the ground while others try to help.

The explosion’s cause is not yet clear but a suicide bombing is suspected.

A local doctor told our source that the injured worshippers were being taken to the Mirwais hospital.

BBC Afghanistan correspondent Secunder Kermani says that IS-K, a local branch of the Islamic State Group, was expected to say it was behind the attack.

Last Friday, a suicide attack on a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in the northern city of Kunduz killed at least 50 people. IS-K said it carried out the attack, which was the deadliest since US forces left at the end of August.

IS-K is violently opposed to the governing Taliban, has carried out several bombings recently.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan after foreign forces withdrew from the country at the end of August following a deal agreed with the US.

It came two decades after US forces had removed the militants from power in 2001.