Nigeria Police, INEC, NEMA confirm Maiduguri explosion


The Nigeria Police, Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Emergency Management Agency have confirmed this morning’s explosion in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The police said in a statement, ”Today, 16.04.2011 at about 0830hrs, at Galadima Junction of Lamisula division, while the convoy of Anti bomb squad & mobile police were patrolling and visiting polling units in order to detect any I.E.D, some hoodlums threw a bomb at them; the impact shattered the windscreen of the rear vehicle.

”No casualty/injury recorded. Four suspects arrested.”

INEC said in a Twitter post on Saturday morning that a bomb was directed at a police vehicle at Kashim Ibrahim Galadima Junction at 8am on Saturday.

INEC said, ”An explosion has been confirmed at 8am this morning, in Lamisula Maiduguri Metropolitan, Borno State. Venue: Kashim Ibrahim Galadima Junction.

”The attack on the police vehicle was carried out with improvised explosive devices. The culprits have been apprehended.”



NAN had reported on Friday night that an explosion was recorded at INEC‘s Maiduguri office. It, however, said no casualty was recorded.

INEC and the police did not comment on the reported attack on the agency‘s office.

NEMA said a fresh explosion was reported in Abba Garam neighbourhood of the state capital on Saturday morning.

It could not be determined if there were casualties.

He said, ” Yet to determine if they are politicians, fanatics or armed robbers. Emergency and security officers are moving in to control the situation.”

Last Saturday, two separate explosions in Maiduguri reportedly claimed about six lives.

On April 8, an explosion at INEC‘s Suleja, Niger State office claimed about 13 lives.

The state police command had during the week banned people from carrying polythene bags to polling stations during elections. More Details Later