Borno State Police Command warns Biu residents to heighten their level of vigilance especially during this period of Ramadan when most Muslim faithful observe late night prayers.
Anxious residents of Biu in Borno State are living in fear after a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) close to a crowded mosque where Muslim worshippers were observing evening prayer.
The word on the street was that the device was detonated when the bomber was shot by security personnel. A police officer confirmed the bomber died instantly in the blast and two passersby were wounded.
The explosion occurred about 8pm on Sunday, March 17, in Biu town while the Muslim faithful were observing a night prayer in the mosque.
Biu is the headquarters of the local government area of the same name in Borno State.
Hassan Aminu Salih, a resident of Biu town, told RNI that the suicide bomber appeared to be heading to a mosque close to the Marvelous Restaurant when the IED detonated.
“It is thought the suicide bomber intended detonating the IED inside the mosque. He was walking towards the mosque when he was shot by security operatives. The IED detonated when the bullet hit the bomber. Two innocent people were wounded and were rushed to hospital where they are receiving treatment.”
Salih said he had initially thought that a gas cylinder had exploded. Later police officers and security operatives confirmed that the man was a suicide bomber who was suspected of targeting the mosque. The IED detonated a short distance from the mosque.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces, police officers and security agencies are on high alert. They have beefed up security in the town and are conducting frequent and regular patrols, focusing on places of worship, particularly mosques.
“Although things have gone back to normal, many of us fear there could be another attack. Some have even said they do not want to go to the mosque to pray. But it is Ramadan and we are expected to observe evening prayers,” Salih said.
Isa Bukar, who also lives in Biu, told RNI that most people initially thought the blast was caused when a gas cylinder exploded.
“There were a few accounts of the incident. Some people said a grenade had exploded among a group of soldiers who were having a meal at the Marvelous Restaurant which is near the mosque.
“I live quite close by and I heard the explosion. I was told that one person died and two were wounded. I did not know at the time whether they were soldiers or civilians.”
The Borno State Police Command confirmed on Monday that a suicide bomber was blown up by the device he was carrying and that two civilians were wounded and rushed to hospital.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Daso Nahum, the command’s public relations officer, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), saying the male suicide bomber appeared to be heading to the mosque, which was full of worshippers, when the device detonated.
He said the explosion occurred at about 8pm on Sunday when Muslim faithful were observing their evening prayers.
“The male suicide bomber, who was suspected to be heading to the mosque, detonated the IED close to the roundabout, killing himself.
“Two passersby were wounded in the explosion and were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.”
Nahum said the mosque appeared to be the suicide bomber’s target.
Because it is the holy month of Ramadan, one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims worldwide, the mosque was full of worshippers.
Had the bomber got inside the mosque and detonated the IED, many people would have died and many more wounded.
“A combined team of security personnel was deployed to the scene of the incident to begin an investigation and to restore normalcy.”
Nahum urged Biu residents to heighten their level of vigilance especially during this period of Ramadan when most Muslim faithful are observing late night prayers.
“People should make sure that they are vigilant and should not hesitate to report any suspicious moves to security agencies,” he said.
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
