Panic, Confusion as explosions rock Borno, Delta states

Posted by admin Borno, Delta, Elections 2011, State News, Top Stories Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Early morning bomb explosions on Tuesday in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, and Burutu in Delta State created panic, forcing many voters to stay away from the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that the explosions in London Ciki and Baga Road in Maiduguri took place simultaneously around 5.40am.

He told NAN that the explosive was carefully covered with a polythene bag to create an impression that it was ordinary waste.

He added that the driver escaped unhurt but the windscreen of the vehicle was damaged.

The second explosion took place in Baga Road near a factory.

“But I don‘t think there was any casualty,” another witness, Mallam Madu Shettima, said.

Shettima told NAN that another unexploded bomb was found in Jajeri by some children near a cemetery.

Security operatives also arrested a man as he tried to smuggle explosives into the University of Maiduguri.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mike Zuokumor, told NAN that there was no casualty recorded in the explosions.

He pointed out that the explosives were carefully covered to prevent detection.

“I am appealing to the public to be security conscious and avoid stepping on any object on the road especially early in the morning or late in the evenings,‘‘ Zuokumor said.

The police command on Monday placed restriction on movement during the polls when it discovered that some people were taking advantage of the relaxation on movement to plant explosives in the city.

Three persons were reported dead in separate bomb blasts in Maiduguri on Sunday.

In Delta State, the Resident Electoral Commission, Dr. Gabriel Ada, told NAN that there was an explosion in Burutu close to the INEC office.

He, however, said there was no casualty or damage to property.

-Punchwp_posts