Yola IDP attack: Suicide Bomber kill 12

NAF rotates troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations

Daji Sani in Yola and     Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Twelve people lost their lives on Friday while scores were injured in two suicide bomb attacks by suspected Bokom Haram members at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Yola and Madagali town, both in Adamawa State.

Bomb Scene

The bombs were detonated inside a tent at the Malkohi IDP camp at around 10:50am and claimed seven lives.

Two female suicide bombers were reported to have detonated the bombs which also injured 13 people including, four National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials.

Adamawa state commissioner of information, Ahmed Sajoh confirmed the casualty figure to journalists in Yola shortly after visiting the injured victims at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

Sajoh lamented that an unaccompanied toddler was among the dead just as he expressed sadness that even those on humanitarian service were not spared the fury of the suicide bombers.

He further explained that one of the NEMA officials had already been treated and discharged while two others sustained minor injuries.

The commissioner noted that Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow has directed the state emergency management agency to foot the medical bills of the injured.

Sajoh said that the state government was working in conjunction with all security agencies to ensure a water tight security around all IDP facilities in the state, adding that security agencies were currently re-screening all the IDPs at the Malkohi camp.

He urged residents to be extra vigilant and report suspicious persons to security personnel.

5 killed in Madagali…

Also yesterday, five persons were killed in another bomb blast near a market in Madagali town, Madagali Local Government Area of the Adamawa State, leaving several others injured.

The bomb was allegedly detonated by a female suicide bomber.

The incident occurred at about the same time with the Malkohi bomb attack. The same Boko Haram group is suspected to have masterminded the twin bomb blasts in the state.

Sajoh also confirmed the Madagali attack.

Buhari reacts…

In a swift reaction to the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari directed authorities to tighten security measures in all camps harbouring internally displaced persons in the country.

The president equally described  as heinous and cowardly the bomb blast in the Malkohi camp which resulted in loss of lives.

He said that the terrorists were bent on causing fear and panic among the populace by detonating bombs within soft spots where hapless citizens resided and called on the public not to be deterred but rise in unison to root out whatever was left of the terrorists.

“We must not let the desperate and evil-minded criminals have any respite. There’s now an urgent need for all to be paying utmost attention to security issues at all levels – home, work, market, places of worship, schools, etc.

“To defeat terrorism, all round the clock vigilance is called for.”

He urged members of thee public to provide  security agents with vital information to pre-empt and prevent crimes and to forestall further insurgent activities.

NAF Rotates Troops Engaged in Counter-Terrorism Operations…

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has started rotating members of its ground forces fighting alongside the troops of the Nigerian Army who have spent over six months in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency (CT COIN) operations code named ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in the North-east.

This was disclosed yesterday in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DoPRI), Air Commodore Dele Alonge.

According to Alonge, the latest troop rotation, in line with the usual practice, is aimed at reinvigorating the personnel, and their commitment to the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram, by replacing the weary hands with fresh ones.

He said that the rotation also had the corollary effect of morale boosting for the troops.

He added that troops have been airlifted with the NAF C-130H aircraft from the theatre of operation to their various units.

During the short but colourful ceremony, the DoPRI said the Commander of 79 Composite Group Maiduguri, Air Commodore Chris Egwoba on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar commended the efforts of the gallant airmen and wish them success in their future endeavours.

Toyota Donates Trucks to MNJTF…

Also yesterday, Toyota Nigeria Limited donated some Hilux vans to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Maiduguri.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Col. Rabe Abubakar, who confirmed this said that the Trucks were received by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.

Olonisakin expressed profound gratitude to the management and staff of TNL describing the company’s gesture as a show of public support and approval for MNJTF actions.

Yola IDP attack: Suicide Bomber kill 12