About 43 people were reportedly killed in the blast

Some elders in Borno State are calling for the probe of Tuesday’s bomb blast that killed over 43 persons and injured several others in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Speaking under the Borno Elders Forum, the elders said they were shocked by the blast and the subsequent violence/

The forum’s chairman, Gaji Galtimari, who signed the statement, said they were “left frustrated and highly disturbed” by the incidents.

“For over one year, Maiduguri had almost regained absolute peace and harmony”, the statement reads. “Our hitherto devastated people had started picking up their lives. That blast therefore came to us as the rudest shock”

“The forum therefore appeals to President Goodluck Jonathan for an immediate and thorough investigation of the bomb blast. The culprits involved should be brought to book because we had gone through traumatic times for long and any further hardship on our people must be curtailed at all costs”.

“The Forum also appeals to the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, to remain focused and steadfast, while appealing to the members of the armed forces as well as the Youth Vigilante group (Civilian-JTF) to stand for and defend the integrity of the people”

“The Sacrifices of the youth for our society will never be forgotten, and Allah (SWT) will surely bless and protect them” the elders said.

After the Tuesday suicide bomb blast, angry youth went on rampage attacking people and property linked to former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff. The youth blamed Mr. Sheriff, who returned to the state few days before the strike after almost a year absence, of causing the explosion.

Mr. Sheriff has denied any involvement and instead blamed officials of the Borno State government of instigating the blast to ridicule him.