Army arrests suspect, confirms scores dead in Maiduguri bomb blast

The Army said the attack was likely carried out by the Boko Haram

 The Nigerian Army said it has arrested one person over Tuesday’s bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State. It did not provide details of the suspect.

A statement signed by Mohammed Dole, the spokesperson of the Army’s 7 Division in Maiduguri, also described how the attack occurred.

Mr. Dole said at about 2:13 p.m. on Tuesday, a Honda car laden with an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, exploded near Post Office area in Maiduguri.

“Members of the frustrated Boko Haram terrorists are suspected to be behind the bomb explosion,” Mr. Dole said.

The statement did not however reveal the exact number of casualties, but said, “Scores of death and injuries were recorded and 10 vehicles and five tricycles are confirmed damaged and one suspect is arrested.”

Mr. Dole said the attack happened after a long period of relative peace in Maiduguri and its environs. It said with Tuesday’s attack, the 7 Division had stepped up measures to forestall future occurrence in the Borno capital.

“While investigation is ongoing, the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Junaid Bindawa warns that any individual or groups found to be behind these heinous and dastardly acts will be decisively dealt with,” the statement said.

Mr. Bindawa appealed to the residents of Maiduguri to remain calm and go about their normal businesses. He also urged them to be very vigilant and to report any suspicious person or vehicles to the nearest security agency.

He assured of the military’s commitment to maintaining the relative peace in the city.