Six people were killed yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State’s beleaguered capital city, by people believed to be Boko Haram members as security is being tightened across the North.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has deployed 10 additional units of riot policemen in Kano to secure the city, which is still reeling from the effect of Boko Haram attacks in which 185 people were killed.

Also, the headquarters of the Army’s 3rd Armoured Brigade in Jos has been moved to Gombe where the deadly sect has been operating freely for some time.

The six people were killed in their homes in Maiduguri while they were asleep.

They were found dead in Kawar Mala, Shehuri North, where 11 suspected sect members were killed by soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF) last Saturday. The families of the 11 have, however, called for a probe, saying they were not Boko Haram members.

JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Hassan Mohammed confirmed the killings in a statement.

He said: “Preliminary investigation reveals that the six deceased persons were suspected to have been killed by persons suspected to be their fellow sect members. The killings may have been as a result of division among sect members.”

He said the JTF would continue to be proactive in dealing with members of the sect, and advised the people to be security conscious.

Residents of Maiduguri were woken up early yesterday by deafening explosions which rocked parts of the metropolis.

A resident of Gomari Airport, Mallam Kaomi Bukar, said he was woken up by a loud sound but could not say where it came from.

Lt.-Col. Mohammed confirmed the explosions, but added that no casualty was recorded.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/35561-six-killed-in-borno.html