… It’s arms testing –Military
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri and Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Residents of Maiduguri were gripped with fear yesterday following heavy sounds suspected to be from bombs by insurgents. A deafening sound reverberated across the western axis of the city in the early hours of yesterday. Residents said the first, which sounded like a bomb blast came at about 9.43am while the second was heard a minute later, causing anxiety among the people.
Ishaya Adamu, a resident said he called his two sons who had gone to schools after hearing the sound.
“I was scared because I thought it was a bomb blast especially when my neighbour shouted and started reciting Islamic verses for prayers when there is bad occurrence,” he said. The situation was also heightened with social media reports, claiming bomb explosion occurred in the city barely 24 hours after Boko Haram bombers killed 85 at Dalorii attack at the weekend.
However, the military said it was merely testing arms to ensure effectiveness in its ongoing counter-insurgency operation. It announced on local radio and television stations on Sunday night, urging residents not to panic when it commences its testing exercise in the early hours of Monday, an exercise it described as normal. In Abuja, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed that 65 died, with 136 persons injured following a weekend attack on Dalori village by insurgents.
Senior Information Officer of NEMA, Mr. Sani Datti, in a statement said victims of Dalori village, who were evacuated to Umaru Shehu Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Borno General Hospital for medical attention where 40 persons were confirmed dead.