Army confirms 14 killed in Maiduguri Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja In continuation of its war against the terrorist Boko Haram sect, the military yesterday threatened to demolish any facility that plays host to the group’s members in any part of the country. Also yesterday, the Army confirmed that 14 persons, including four suicide bombers, were killed in Thursday's bomb explosion at Sajeri area of Maiduguri, Borno State. The threat by the military follows recent suicide attacks in parts of troubled Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. Addressing a press conference inMaiduguri, the Theatre Commander of Operations Lafiya Dole, a military operations established to put an end to Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, Maj. Gen. Yusha'u Mahmud Abubakar said any facilities used to perpetuate terrorism would be demolished. He said that the military would not be deterred in the war against terrorism. Abubakar declared: “We have a timeline for the operation against the terrorists to end. No allowance will be given for failure or drawbacks. “Any facility that is used to make bombs or used to dress suicide bombers will be leveled." The Army boss confirmed that 14 persons were killed in Thursday's attacks in Sajeri area of Ajilari Cross in Maiduguri. He said 39 others were injured in the suicide attacks carried out by four females. Abubakar asked everyone to be security conscious and report any suspicious character or movement to the military. He said the military would be meeting with all stakeholders; traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women and students to sensitise them on terrorism and what is needed to be done to fight the war jointly. He said terrorists needed to be isolated in order to win the war, insisting that the public must play a big role in this. Meanwhile, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun has called on residents of troubled Maiduguri to avoid large gathering which could be a major attraction to suicide bombers. The CP in a text message to journalists confirming the suicide attacks on Maiduguri on Thursday said that residents should report any strange face or faces in their neighborhood to security agents. He also urged that they should avoid unnecessary large gathering which can be infiltrated by terrorists. Opadokun said: "There was IED explosion on October 1st at about 7.45pm in Sajeri area in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri when four suspected suicide bombers detonated IEDs strapped on their bodies. “The explosion happened at four different locations on the same axis and the death toll had risen to 14 including the suicide bombers.” He disclosed that the injured were taken to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and Umaru Shehu Hospital in the town. Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima was at the attacked areas yesterday and condemned the incessant bombings of innocent people and other soft targets such as mosques, motor parks and markets in the state. While sympathising with the family members of victims, he said: “As this Boko Haram madness was about to end, we will do everything to protect people’s lives and property. "I am urging all of you to be security conscious, by promptly reporting any suspicious movement to the military and all other security agencies, before this madness destroys all of us here in this state.” The multiple blasts, according to Abba Ali, a youth vigilante member rocked the eastern parts of Maiduguri, forcing many residents to scamper for safety. Soldiers subsequently condoned parts of Gomari Ward to prevent further terrorists attacks. 80 Boko Haram terrorists surrender… In a related development, the Nigerian military has confirmed that about 80 Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in Bama, Borno State. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman in a statement on Thursday night in Abuja revealed that the terrorists among whom were commanders, suppliers and foot soldiers confirmed to have partaken in several terrorists attacks especially on Bama town. He said that the terrorists surrendered as a result of the intense heat and continuous offensive action embarked by troops. He recalled that the military had repeatedly stated that surrender was the only option available to terrorists as the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in conjunction with other security agencies are totally committed to the achievement of the three months Presidential deadline for the eradication of terrorism in Nigeria.

May God strengthen our Soldiers amen