From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has confirmed that about 60 persons were affected by the rocket attack on Tuesday evening on Maiduguri, the Borno State.
The governor said 10 persons were killed in the mortal attack by suspected Boko Haram on the troubled town.
A press statement, by the spokesman to the governor, Mallam Isa Gusau said the governor was at two hospitals on Wednesday to facilitate with those injured in the attack.
He said after Boko Haram fighters fired shots from Rocket Propelled Grenades, on parts of the town, 10 persons were killed and 47 other were injured.
He disclosed that the shots, on Tuesday night, came from Kaleri, an outskirts of Maiduguri, with grenades hitting Gwange and Adam kolo communities, both densely populated areas in the inner city.
He said most of the deaths occurred in Gwange. One of the RPG shots, hit a children’s play ground in Gwange.
Gusau, in the statement said: “Governor Zulum confirmed the attacks during his empathy visits to the State Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, both in Maiduguri. The governor was told that some of the victims had sustained various degrees of injuries and were being treated, for which he directed that the state ministry of health shoulders the bills.”
Gusau quoted the governor to have said: “Indeed it is a very sad moment for the people and government of Borno state, about 60 persons were affected, among them, 10 have died. It was as a result of long distance shots fired by the insurgents. I believe this is a new trend we have to rise up and stop. We experienced a similar incident exactly one year ago. The solution is to deploy an appropriate form of technology, which will have to work on. I share the pains of all those affected but we are not just visiting hospitals, we do so much behind the scene in our combined responses to the Boko Haram insurgency and we will keep making these and more efforts.”
The governor also spoke on the military regaining Marte from the hold of the insurgents. He said he was not just pleased but also optimistic that the Nigerian military will work had to retain, continue its peace-building and stability efforts in ways that should ensure the insurgents do not take Marte again, or any other part of the state.
He said: “I am optimistic that the insurgents will not take over Marte again.”