Thursday, December 6, 2012

Explosion rocks Kano, 2 injured •‘Boko Haram planning to attack military formations’ •Poverty, cause of Boko Haram —Gov Shettima



THERE was confusion in the ancient city of Kano on Wednesday over report of an early morning explosion said to have occurred on a luxury bus on Zoo Road at about 7:30 a.m.
But the state Police Command, in a swift reaction, dispelled the occurrence of any explosion in the area and explained that the noise came from one of the burst tyres of the bus on Tuesday.
However, a source who preferred anonymity, told the Nigerian Tribune that there were sporadic gun shots when unknown gunmen, who attempted to invade the area on bombing mission but were repelled by security operatives.
It was gathered that the purported blast caused panic in the area as people who had already prepared to go out to eke a living stayed indoor to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
In the statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, the police anti-bomb disposal unit and patrol teams were immediately deployed to the scene of the luxury bus accident on Zoo Road.
The statement added that no other explosive was left undetonated in the area, which was quickly cordoned off and searched by the police teams.
Although it was gathered that two people were injured in the incident, the PPRO said no lives was lost in the incident, just as he added that none sustained injury and that the police made no arrest.
He said the police had to open up the area to the public for normal business activities, after it was screened as being free of explosive devices.
The PPRO urged newsmen to always double-check their reports before going to press or on air to disseminate reports that could heighten tension and create unnecessary panic in the state.
Meanwhile, The Joint Task Force (JTF), tagged ‘Operation Restore Order,’ in Borno State, has alleged that members of the Boko Haram sect are planning to attack military barracks in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Spokesman of the JTF, Lt Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement in Maiduguri, said “information available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) indicates clandestine plans by terrorists to attack barracks in Maiduguri metropolis, particularly the headquarters of 21 Armoured Brigade (Giwa Barracks).’’
Sagir warned the sect that such an exercise would be disastrous, counter-productive as it would massively jeopardise the security of their members in military custody.
The statement urged host communities of Giwa barracks, particular house owners bordering the barracks, to be watchful and quickly alert the JTF of any suspicious movement within their community.
In a related development, a committee set up by the Northern Governors Forum to find solutions to the insecurity problem in the north visited Maiduguri on Wednesday.
The committee, which was led by Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Muktar (retd), said they were in the state with a view to proferring solution to the lingering crisis bedeviling the north.
According to him, the committee was set up about three months ago by the Northern Governors Forum to look at the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and find solutions to them.
Meanwhile, BORNO State governor, Kashim Shettima, has attributed the cause of Boko Haram insurgency in thestate and some parts of northern states to extreme poverty, hunger, illiteracy and diseases.
Governor Shettima stated this on, Wednesday, when he received high powered delegation, which was constituted three months ago, to look into the issues that led to the crises of Boko Haram in the state.
The delegation, which was led by Air Vice Marshal Muktar Mohammed, earlier told the governor that their mission to the state was to assess the level of the problem and profer solution to curtail reoccurance.
Vice-Marshal Mohammed told the governor that it was not that they did not believe the reports on happenings in the state, but that their coming would give them the back to work towards bringing a lasting peace.
He said, “when we were coming from the airport, I almost shed tears for what I saw and how Borno State was reduced.”
While speaking on the security situation in the state, Governor Shettima told the delegation that Borno State was a home of peace,  and welcomed everyone, irrespective of tribe, religion, creed or culture and as such; the people must accept and tolerate each other.
According to the governor, no religion sanctioned the killings of fellow human beings and as such, appealed to the sect members to lay down their arms and embrace the path of dialogue.
Tribune

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