. AU sends 7,500 troops to fight
Boko Haram
A female suicide bomber
yesterday blew herself in Gombe,
Gombe State capital, some
minutes after President Goodluck
Jonathan left a campaign rally.
The blast killed three persons on
the spot and injured about 18
others who were immediately
taken to the hospital.
Our correspondent gathered that
the attacker beat security checks
and detonated the bomb close to
a crowded area after those who
attended the rally were leaving
the Pantami Township Stadium,
venue of the programme.
Mohammed Bolari, who was at
the rally, said the explosion
occurred about three minutes
after President Jonathan had left.
“The President had just passed
the parking lot and we were
trailing behind his convoy when
the explosion happened,” he said.
President Jonathan was in the
state a day after an explosion
killed at least five people.
Following Sunday’s blast, the city
was largely overtaken by security
operatives, restricting movement
of people in most areas.
Journalists who covered the rally
were also attacked by a mob
carrying dangerous weapons as
their bus was vandalised with five
of them sustaining injuries.
It might not have been as
devastating as other bombings in
the country, but the timing of the
latest attack would have shocked
the security forces.
The violence is escalating in the
run-up to the elections beginning
in less than two weeks. The
spokesman, state police
command Fwaje Atajiri, told
journalists that the bomber blew
herself up near a car.
He, however, said that a female
passerby was killed, contradicting
reports that three people died in
the blast.
Meanwhile, the Federal
Government yesterday disclosed
that the African Union Peace and
Security Council had approved the
mobilisation and immediate
deployment of 7,500 troops to
Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.
Coordinator of the National
Information Centre, Mr. Mike
Omeri, stated this in Abuja while
updating journalists on the
security situation in the country.
Omeri said: “The recent regional
and continental synergy and
resolutions to establish a
multinational military force by
Nigeria’s neighbouring countries
of Chad, Niger and Cameroun as
well as the AU decision on the
matter is point of reference here.
“The African Union Peace and
Security Council, at the recently
concluded 24th ordinary session,
approved the mobilisation and
deployment of 7,500 troops to
Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.
“Consequently, the AU Peace and
Security Council is billed to meet
in Cameroun to authorise and
finalise the concept of the
operation in the fight against
Boko Haram a decision which has
been welcomed by the UN
Secretary- General, Mr. Ban Ki
Moon.”
On the recent breakthrough
recorded by Nigerian Army, Omeri
noted that there had been a
commendable determination of
various stakeholders to tackle the
menace of Boko Haram.
“In a couple of days, the effort of
the Nigerian military in checking
insurgency in the North-East has
continued to yield result.
“On Sunday, February1, 2015,
government troops from 7
Division of Nigerian Army
stationed in and around
Maiduguri, the Borno State
capital, successfully repelled a
multiprolonged attack launched by
Boko Haram from various fronts,
including Malwa, Damboa, Mafa
and others, but were effectively
restricted by the gallant troops
assisted by local civilian
volunteers.
“The situation in Adamawa
showed that the Nigeria military
are making remarkable success;
many towns under Boko Haram
control have been liberated while
towns like Madagali, Gulak,
Waggamildo, Shelini Sambo-Gari
and Gubia are still occupied by
Boko Haram. “Other areas
including Kirachinga, Pallam and
Mayo-Wandu have remained calm
and peaceful.”
Omeri also yesterday confirmed
the bomb blast at the Water
Board junction in Gombe State.
“We got confirmation that there
was actually a blast at the Water
Board junction in Gombe town.
The incident took place soon after
the President and his entourage
left the stadium in Gombe.
Casualty figure is not yet
ascertained.”
In a related development, the
Federal Government yesterday
said it had retaken Gamboru and
four other towns held by Boko
Haram following a joint weekend
offensive by its military, civilian
vigilantes and forces from
neighbouring Chad and Cameroun.
“Our troops are in control after
operations which had the active
support of volunteers (vigilantes)
and our friendly neighbours,”
Omeri said.
In a separate statement, he listed
the towns in Borno state retaken
at the weekend to include Mafa,
Mallam Fatori, Abadam, Marte
and Gamboru, where Chad had
carried out three days of air
strikes.
Source: Nig Mirror
0 comments:
Post a Comment