Maiduguri — At least 15 explosions were reported yesterday in Gwange and London Ciki areas of Maiduguri.

Residents said the first blast was heard around 5.40pm, shortly before the sunset (Maghrib) prayers. "The sound was thunderous and rattled many of us...the first bomb exploded not far from Bama Road in Gwange area," a resident said.

"Before we entered our houses, we heard deafening and simultaneous blasts from many directions," he said.

Another resident, who does not want his name in print, said he escaped being killed while on his way home.

"I was told that trouble started when some insurgents, armed with guns and explosives attempted to burn a primary school and some communication masts along Custain but the move was repelled by soldiers.

"That was when the attackers started hurling explosives and the military equally mobilized to the area with armoured tanks.

"The attackers then moved into Gwange and the explosions continued. "There was shower of blasts in Gwange and London Ciki but nobody can tell you the level of damage or the number of casualties. Personally, I heard the sound of 18 explosions," he said.

Daily Trust reports that sound of gunshots equally rented the air in the affected areas.

The intermittent sound of blasts and shootings continued till around 8pm last night while many people who were heading home from their places of work and school were trapped on the way. GSM communication had equally seized after the blasts in parts of Maiduguri.

Spokesmen of the Joint Task Force and the Police could not be reached before going to the press. Gwange is now the epicentre of violence in Maiduguri.
allAfrica