Police Detonate Explosive Device in Borno Metropolis

An IED placed close to a primary healthcare facility in Maiduguri was deactivated on Friday night by the police anti-bomb team.

Around midnight, locals near the federal low-cost Mala Kachalla General Hospital on Baga Road discovered the IED.

An eyewitness claims that because the IED was found in time, it did not explode.

After being notified, the police’s anti-bomb unit turned off the device safely and without incident.

“We discovered this bomb planted near Mala Hospital around midnight. We called on the police anti-bomb squad and they mobilised and got to the place immediately but they could not deactivate the device till around 3 am”, the eye witness stated.

The source of the bomb has yet to be established.

About a week ago, an IED was discovered planted at Zajeri Primary School also at Baga Road.

This is coming a month after multiple explosions killed thirty-six people in Gwoza town, and a day after the military raised alarm on the increased use of IEDs by Boko Haram terrorists to cause havoc.

According to the Acting GOC 7Div Maimalari Cantonment, Brig. Gen. Abubakar Haruna, the military is intensifying awareness campaigns on the threats of IEDs within the Maiduguri metropolis and Jere.

Brig. Gen. Haruna said the terrorists have resorted to the use of IEDs because of their effectiveness and ease of detonation as such, the general public should be conscious and alert the military when strange objects are seen around the premises.