MEMBERS of the Jama’atu ahlus Sunnah lid da’awati wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram, said yesterday that they were responsible for the suicide bombing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. They also said they did not accomplish their mission because their prime target was the Inspector General Hafiz Ringim.


A statement from a senior member of the group, Abu Zaid said the attack at the police headquarters was to prove a point to all who doubt the capabilities of the sect. The statement came barely two hours after another bomb exploded in Damboa town, about 87 kilometres from Maiduguri the Borno state capital, which killed four children and injured two others.



The bomb, which exploded around 1pm, was buried in between a residential building and a church, the Eklisiyyar Yan Uwa a Nigeria (EYN).

Police spokesman in Borno State Lawan Abdullahi who confirmed the incident said the children were playing around the area when the bomb exploded.“The victims were small children…I can’t estimate their ages but they are children. They were caught unawares while playing around the area,” he said.

He said two others that sustained injuries have been taken to the hospital, adding that no arrest was made so far. “We are investigating the matter and we need serious cooperation from the people in order to succeed. Security is the responsibility of all,” he said.

The statement signed by sect leader Abu Fatima said, “Of recent, he [Ringim] has been going to places and making unguarded utterances to the effect that he will crash us in a number of days…This is unfortunate. We attack his base (police headquarter) in order to show him that action speaks louder than words.”

He also said the sect members will continue to launch attacks at the police headquarters. “We would not relent and by the grace of God, we shall see who is on the right track,” he said.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Maiduguri and environs. Our correspondents who went round the town saw many stop and search points mounted by members of the Joint Task Force.

At London Ciki, Costain, Westend, Post office and Lagos Street, Okada riders and their passengers were being directed to disembark from the motorcycles and push them to at least 50 metres away from the checkpoint before they can continue with their journey.“This is a very difficult and trying moment for us,” Jummai Stephen, a school teacher said.


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