Protest in Maiduguri after deadly explosion; youth blame ex-governor for blast

Youth accuse former governor of instigating explosion

A protest has broken out in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, a few hours after a car bomb exploded in a densely populated commercial area of the city.

The explosion, which went off at exactly 1.30 p.m., is suspected to have been carried out by a suicide bomber.

The bombing occurred right in front of a large military post called JTF Sector 4, located in the Post Office area of the metropolis.

While people with blood-soaked bodies were seen scampering for safety, soldiers shot sporadically into the air.

There was chaos as another vehicle caught  fire and other cars collided as drivers made haste to escape the scene.

A few hours later, angry youth went on rampage around the city, burning tyres and smashing vehicles bearing the posters of the state’s former governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, and the incumbent deputy governor, Zannah Mustapha.

The youth were alleging that the bombing was masterminded by the former governor.

As the youth advanced towards former Governor Sheriff’s residence, security operatives deployed around the main routes leading to the GRA blocked the way and prevented them from advancing. 

The deputy governor was targeted for accompanying the former governor, who is also the North-east chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on a tour of the state.

Some of the youth, who set tyres ablaze along the Damboa Road, also threatened to attack the home of the deputy governor’s father, before they were prevented from doing so by security operatives.

Mr. Sheriff, who installed  the incumbent governor, Kashim Shettima, but has since fallen out with him, is visiting the state for the first time in about a year.