News
Borno Market Blast Kills 50, Injures 68
Over 50 people, including 16 members of the Vigilante Youth, a.k.a Civilian JTF were killed, while about 68 persons were seriously injured when a Peugeot 505 saloon car carrying charcoal but laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) exploded around the busy El-Kanemi Roundabout, near Monday Market, some 40 metres away from the office of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital yesterday
The explosion, with a huge fireball, sources said, occurred at about 7am while businessmen and women were rushing to display their goods and wares.
The Tide learnt that the blast had attracted sympathisers who gathered to look at a burnt vehicle following the bomb explosion that rocked the busiest roundabout near the crowded Monday Market in Maiduguri.
The Chairman of the Vigilante Youth a.k.a Civilian JTF attached to Sector 3, Mallam Iliya Saidu while briefing Governor Kashim Shettima said, his men were able to identify nine of his members that died in the blast.
However, Chairman of Monday Market Traders Association, Alhaji Bukar Jere while giving a breakdown of the number of casualties to Governor Shettima when he visited the scene, yesterday insisted that 16 Civilian JTF members were among the dozens of people killed.
Briefing, Governor Shettima at the scene of the blast, Manager, Maiduguri Monday Market said “16 Civilian JTF were among those killed in the blast, while 69 sustained serious injuries”.
He said four vehicles and four tricycles, popularly called ‘KEKE NAPEP’ were burnt in the blast, adding that the incident also affected 49 shops and wares displayed by the petty traders on the road side.
A witness, who did not want his name mentioned for fear of being attacked, said he was not sure whether the bomb was planted in the vehicle overnight or in the morning.
Another witness said many people affected were less privileged children who were receiving Ramadan “sadaka” items from donors as well as elderly women selling groundnuts and other foods around the area.
An officer of the State Security Service (SSS), had confirmed the explosion to PREMIUM TIMES minutes after it occurred.
The SSS said the area of the blast has since been cordoned off.
However, The Tide sources said that another part of the large market remained open as at the time of this report.
The Information Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sani Batti, told newsmen that the headquarters was yet to receive an update and casualty figures from the Maiduguri zonal office.
But emergency rescue and management personnel in Maiduguri were busy yesterday trying to clear the area of any remaining debris.
Also, scores of dead bodies were evacuated to hospitals nearby while the injured are now receiving treatment in the hospitals.
L-R: Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala and JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dipo Ojerinde, at the 5th JAMB combined policy meeting on admissions to degree, NCE and ND awarding institutions in Abuja, yesterday
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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