By Dennis Mernyi, Abuja
At least four persons were yesterday confirmed dead and several others injured following an explosion that rocked some parts of Maiduguri moments before President Muhammadu Buhari arrived the Borno State capital on an official engagement.

The bombs were believed to have been fired from outside of Maiduguri but they began to land on different locations around the airport at about 10:45am.

The President’s flight landed at the Maiduguri International Airport at about 11:40am.

An eyewitness, who wished not to be mentioned, said at least five motorised explosives landed in mostly residential areas, killing, and injuring many civilians.

ThisNigeria learnt that the bombs landed in Ayafe, a suburb of Ngomari, killing four persons, including a 16-year-old girl.

Other bombs landed in Ajilari Cross, Moromti, and the Legacy Housing Estate in the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri.

However, an operative of the Civilian-JTF, Malam Saad, who is the commander of Sector 9, told journalists that about four people were affected by the explosion.

A resident of Bulunkutu, Yusuf Ibrahim, said, “Two teenage girls were killed. One at Ayafe and one at Ajilari Cross.”

Meanwhile, Buhari has urged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to remain steadfast as they go into the final phase of the campaign against insurgency and other forms of criminalities.

The president, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, made the call when he addressed the troops at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri.

According to Buhari, the entire nation remains grateful for the gallantry displayed in ensuring the gradual return of peace to the North East, while condoling with families that have lost loved ones, and the wounded.

He said: “I urge you also to stay focused to achieve our strategic end-state which is the defeat of all adversaries and restoration of an economically viable North-East geo-political zone and other parts of the country where Nigerians are free to go about their activities without fear of harassment.”

The President assured families of soldiers who paid the supreme price for the nation and the injured that the Federal Government would cater for their needs, recognising their sacrifices for all Nigerians.

“I am delighted to be with you today and to convey my gratitude and that of the entire nation to you all, as you continuously strive to secure our dear country.

“Your career is like no other because it is a conscious commitment and preparedness to give your best for the sake of others. I am therefore here on behalf of a grateful nation to thank and commend you for your service and sacrifices.

“Let me start by commiserating with you all on the unfortunate loss of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkushu and other personnel of 25 and 28 Task Force Brigades, who died on November 13. I do this mindful of the fact that we have lost others in this Theatre of Operation as well as other operational areas across the country.

“We pray for the repose of their souls and for the Almighty God to comfort the families that they left behind. The people of Borno State and indeed the entire country owe a debt of gratitude to our serving men in uniform for the huge sacrifices in the pursuit of peace,” he said.

He maintained that the government would continue to ensure that the widows and children of fallen heroes were well catered for, to help them fully realize their potentials.

The president noted that the response exhibited across the theatre had shown extraordinary resilience and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

While noting threats posed by criminals through the employment of Improvised Explosive Devices, he said substantial resources had also been directed at procuring equipment for explosive ordnance disposal.

Buhari vows to tackle NW bandits

According to him, similar attention is being given to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance Assets. Buhari told the troops that at the onset of the administration he emphasised the need to rejuvenate the Multinational Joint Task Force, which was in realisation of the fluid and transnational nature of current threats and their propensity to hibernate in neighbouring countries.

“I, therefore, urge you to continue to further strengthen your cooperation with the militaries of the other countries under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force to further optimize the mutual gains for our respective national security.

“As we step up the military efforts, our administration has remained conscious of the efficacy of the employments of other lines of effort in our drive to ensure the return of lasting peace to the North East Region.

“The North East Development Commission continues to make giant strides at improving the economic and social welfare of Nigerians in the region.

“I am also happy with the increased level of cooperation between the good people of Borno State, other stakeholders, and the security agencies. I urge you to continue to cooperate with other security agencies to ensure a full return to normalcy,” he added.

The president expressed deep appreciation to the government of Borno for its continuous cooperation with the Federal Government in multiple spheres.

He also commended the Minister of Defence as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and the heads of all other security agencies for forging a common front of collaboration and cooperation which had continued to enhance operations.

“It was gratifying to observe some of these examples of collaboration during the Research and Development Exhibition at the recently concluded Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference and the launch of locally constructed Seaward Defence Ship at the Naval Dockyard.

“I urge you all to stay the course towards ensuring that we become self-sufficient in the production of our defence equipment in no distant future. To my dear troops, as your Commander in Chief, I am mindful of your selfless sacrifices which in some cases have entailed paying the supreme price.

“The nation owes you a debt of gratitude for your commitment, dedication, and unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Our Government will continue to work with your respective heads to ensure that your welfare receives priority attention and that our wounded comrades are given the best medical care possible,” he assured.

In his remark, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkenemi, said the security situation in the state has improved tremendously since Buhari came to power.

“It is gratifying to inform your Excellency that peace has gradually returned to Borno and we must sincerely appreciate and commend the efforts of your administration toward bringing lasting peace in Borno as well as the entire North East Sub-Region.

“I am happy to inform the President that farming activities have picked up in most parts of the state and many displaced persons have started to return to their communities,” he said

•Again, bandits abduct 70 on Kaduna road
Barely 24 hours after Governor Nasir El-Rufai sought aggressive presidential intervention against bandits operating in Kaduna, terrorists reportedly kidnapped about 70 traders who were travelling along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road.

This is coming barely five days after about 40 persons were killed when bandits invaded three communities in Giwa LGA of the state.

In a daring attack, the bandits reportedly kidnapped 70 traders said to be heading to Kano on Wednesday.

It was learnt that the traders were travelling in a convoy of about 20 vehicles and with police escorts.

The police escorts were nowhere to be found when the bandits struck, said the report which also quoted eyewitnesses as saying the victims were whisked away into the forests.

But in a swift reaction, the police said they foiled the kidnap attempt, rescuing 48 persons at Udawa village in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, said in a statement that the attempted kidnap occurred on Wednesday.

Jalige explained that at about 9.30am, policemen escorting traders from Udawa village to Kaduna came under attack by bandits, leading to the kidnap of several persons.

He said the team reinforced and engaged the bandits, forcing them to retreat and abandon their victims, some with gunshot wounds.

•Immigration alerts of terrorists attack in Abuja
Meanwhile, there is tension in Abuja as terrorists on the loose from the Mali Republic are said to be planning deadly attacks on the city of Abuja and its environs.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has put its officers at various border posts across the country on red alert of a looming terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The NIS said it received intelligence from the Presidency that some terrorists from West African neighbour, Mali, want to move through the Nigeria/Niger Republic border to launch an attack in Abuja.

The letter dated December 23, 2021, was titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’ and signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General Of Immigration Service, Idris Jere.

The letter was addressed to all sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country. They include those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as Immigration officers at the Murtala Mohammad International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others.

It read, “The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a Security Report (URGENT) from the Presidency (OSGF). The import is about a looming attack on Nigeria’s Capital City, Abuja, between 17th and 31st December 2021. The planned attack is purportedly being led by one DRAHMANE. OULD ALI, aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.

“The report indicates the duo are en route Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY. That these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.

“It is further reported that Ali holds Algerian Diplomatic Passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim. Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all our entry/exit points- Air, Land, Sea/Marine, including, but not limited to, surveillance, rigorous search on persons and vehicles, transhumance, to effectuate the immediate arrest of these terrorists/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.”

Similarly, the Department of State Services had in November 2021 alerted the Nigeria Customs Service over planned attacks by insurgents at border communities across the country any moment soon.

The Boko Haram terrorist group had bombed the United Nations House in Abuja in 2011 in which 23 persons lost their lives. There had also been other pockets of isolated attacks by suspected terrorists.