22 persons killed in Maiduguri mosque suicide bombings

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 22 persons lost their lives while 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries in two separate attacks carried out by female suicide bombers on the outskirts of Maiduguri on Wednesday morning.

It said that troops have been mobilized to the crime scenes to evacuate the dead and the injured.

Here is a press release issued by the Army on the attacks.

PERSON-BORNE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ATTACK IN UMMARARI
Mar 16, 2016

This is to confirm that there were twin Person-borne improvised explosive attack carried out by two female carriers in Ummarari village near Molai, outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, this morning. The first attack targeted a mosque, while the second blast about 50 metres away, a few minutes later. Sadly, 22 people were killed and 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Troops, security agents and care givers have been mobilized to scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.
The troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues.
While we commiserate with the families of the victims of this dastardly act, we wish to reassure the public that we would continue to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding. We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, we implore the members of the public to be more security conscious, cooperate with the troops and security agencies. They should also please report any suspicious persons, objects or happenings to troops or security agencies at all times.

Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

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Buhari condemns Maiduguri mosque bombing.

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Wednesday's early morning bombing in a Maiduguri mosque.

Buhari in a Twitter message expressed dismay at the wanton attack on innocent worshippers.

He also sympathized with the government and people of Borno State who lost their loved ones in the bomb attack.

President Buhari@NGRPresident27m"I am dismayed by the news of a bomb attack on innocent worshippers in a mosque in Maiduguri this morning." ~ President@MBuhariView details
President Buhari@NGRPresident"I sympathize with all who lost family and loved ones in the attack, and with the government and people of Borno State." ~

Pres@MBuhari4:10 AM - 16 Mar 2016

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Oliseh should respect himself and move on - NFF

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF has denied the claim by out gone head coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh that players were imposed on him.

Oliseh had while giving reasons for his resignation accused the the Technical Committee of the football federation of trying to impose players on him.

However, the Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chris Green, is at a loss as to when his Committee made such moves.

“I can vouch for Felix Anyansi-Agwu, who was chairman of the committee before me, that he is not that type of person.

“I was made chairman on January 16 and traveled to Rwanda on January 17, when the team for the CHAN had been composed. The Super Eagles have not played any match since CHAN. So, when did we have time to try and impose players on him?

“We are not in anyway moved by his vituperations. He claims we did not provide him information with regards to Egypt, but how come we have been able to provide Siasia with the same? He should respect himself and move on,” he said.

He added that the NFF would be writing Oliseh for a refund of the five million naira paid to him for accommodation in Nigeria and another five million naira which should serve as one month notice in lieu of his resignation.

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How schoolgirl, 15 was forced into Islam and sexually abused for 7 months

Fifteen years old schoolgirl, Patience Paul has narrated how she was subjected to seven months of sexual abuse in the house of Sokoto State's king of strangers after she was kidnapped, converted to Islam and renamed Aisha against her wish.

Patience had gone missing on August 12, 2015 after she was sent on an errand. Sources said that she was abducted on her way by Sharia Police personnel and taken to an imam in Runjin Sambo area of Sokoto with a claim that she wanted to convert to Islam.

“I was sent to buy biscuits and on my way I saw him (abductor) and he persuaded me to come to his bungalow,” she said.

She said that she was subsequently taken to the house of the Sarkin Baki (king of strangers) where she was subjected to sexual abuse for seven months.

“Yes, he was forcefully making love to me any time he wanted. They first took me to Sarkin Baki house, and kept me there for seven months before my parents came looking for me.

“They gave me something to drink, but I refused to take the drink, and they took me to one room and locked me inside the room.

“They forcefully made me to turn to Muslim and gave me another name, Aisha. Some people wanted to marry me, but the Sarkin Baki refused and said until I finish Islamic school before they marry me off."

LEADERSHIP reports that Barrister Ezekiel Dyagas who facilitated Patience's release praised the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal for ensuring the quick release of Patience.

“In fact, the governor not only called, but he played a vital role towards the freeing of Patience. He acted as a father and we appreciate his role. In short, he was instrumental to her eventual release.

“As I am talking to you, those behind her abduction in Sokoto have been arrested and are going to face prosecution soon,” he said.

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Boko Haram landmine kills three civilian JTFs in Borno

Three members of the Civilian JTF fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State were killed on Monday when their vehicle ran into a landmine.

Seven of their colleagues were also injured in the incident. The C-JTF had been on their way to quell an attack by the insurgents on Huyum village.

According to a member of group who identified himself as Adamu Galadima, the incident happened on Monday evening.

“We lost three of our colleagues to a roadside bomb yesterday evening on their way to repel Boko Haram in Huyum.

"The vigilantes were approaching Huyum, which was under Boko Haram attack, when the front tyre of their vehicle hit a bomb planted by the attackers,” he said.

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We'll be merciless in pursuing abusers of public trust - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his government will not spare anyone its war against corruption.

He expressed his determination to diligently prosecute the anti graft war until Nigerians begin to see how the elite class conspired to ruin the nation.

The president spoke in Malabo during an interactive session with Nigerians resident in Equatorial Guinea.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, President Buhari said he would show no fear in his quest to get rid of corruption in the country and punish those who have compromised their positions.

“We will be merciless and relentless in pursuing all those who abused public trust. Nigerians will see how some of the elite conspired to run the nation down,” said Buhari.

Buhari also condemned the political killings going on in Rivers State, describing it as primitive, barbaric and unacceptable.

He vowed to bring those responsible for the development to book.

“We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard.

“We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during or after elections,” he said.

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We'll be merciless in pursuing abusers of public trust - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his government will not spare anyone its war against corruption.

He expressed his determination to diligently prosecute the anti graft war until Nigerians begin to see how the elite class conspired to ruin the nation.

The president spoke in Malabo during an interactive session with Nigerians resident in Equatorial Guinea.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, President Buhari said he would show no fear in his quest to get rid of corruption in the country and punish those who have compromised their positions.

“We will be merciless and relentless in pursuing all those who abused public trust. Nigerians will see how some of the elite conspired to run the nation down,” said Buhari.

Buhari also condemned the political killings going on in Rivers State, describing it as primitive, barbaric and unacceptable.

He vowed to bring those responsible for the development to book.

“We will deal decisively with all sponsors of violence. I have given the security services clear directives in this regard.

“We will show that violence in any form will no longer be tolerated before, during or after elections,” he said.

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