Four suicide bombers killed, many others feared dead in multiple explosions in Maiduguri

Four suspected terrorists believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road have died in their IED-laden vehicles, the defence headquarters has said.

The Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, said the explosions took place at Mulai in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Mr. Olukolade, a Major General, said three of the four explosive-laden vehicles were demobilized by shots fired at them by soldiers at the check point shortly before the explosions that rocked the area.

Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined, Mr. Olukolade said.

Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reporter in Maiduguri had reported multiple blasts from improvised explosives devices in Mulai.

The blasts, he said, occurred at about 2 p.m on Tuesday at a suburb community of Maiduguri called Mulai, located near a Radio station, Peace FM.

The extent of the damage could not be ascertained immediately, but a senior security official said the blasts might have killed many residents, even as he confirmed that it affected the perimeter fence of the Peace FM building located near Mulai along the Maiduguri – Damboa federal highway.

“We had another unfortunate incident today; some three explosions occurred at Mulai village along the Maiduguri -Damboa road. We cannot ascertain for now the extent of the damages, even though one cannot rule out a number of casualties given the massive impact of the explosion; but I cannot confirm that it has destroyed the perimeter fencing of the Peace FM Radio house located in Mulai”.

Mulai, located about 5 kms away from Maiduguri, is another crowded suburb of the state capital where a state Leprosy Centre is located, as well as a christian-owned Secondary school.

The population of Mulai village increased in the past five years, after the establishment of a federal government-owned Mega Fuel Filling Station directly opposite the village.

Security officials have now cordoned roads leading to the location, while vehicles were being asked to turn back from that direction.