NO CEASEFIRE, BOKO HARAM DECLARES

…Bomber, 3 others killed in blast

The recent ceasefire declared by Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, Commander of the southern and northern Borno of the Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’ awati wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, may have hit the rock as a message believed to have been circulated by the sect in Maiduguri, Borno State capital yesterday said the group had not declared any truce.

Barely 12 hours later, a bomb explosion suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram at the Post Office area, killed four people including the bomber. The Post Office area, a usually crowded zone with commercial activities, is located in the heart of the city. It is a link to other parts of the metropolis where most residents board cabs and other commercial vehicles to their various communities.

Sources said the lone bomber had sneaked into the area at about 1pm and chose an open space beside a popular filling station in the area, targeting a Joint Task Force (JTF) patrol vehicle. Three civilians and the bomber died while some soldiers were injured. Confirming the explosion, JTF spokesperson, Lt.-Colonel Sagir Musa, said an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeted at JTF patrol team exploded at the Post Office Roundabout in Maiduguri metropolis at about 1:00 pm. “The explosion led to the death of three civilians including the bomber and wounded two others.

A JTF vehicle was damaged. Consequently, the JTF reiterates its determination to ensure the maintenance of law, order and safety of lives and property of all law-abiding residents in Borno State,” Sagir stated. Also commenting on the threat message circulated by Boko Haram, the JTF urged residents to disregard the message, adding that the publication was meant to scare residents. His statement reads: “The attention of the Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order has been drawn to some leaflets allegedly printed and circulated by Boko Haram terrorists containing a message from leader of Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’ awati wal Jihad Abubakar Shekau threatening and warning government, civil servants, politicians, traditional rulers and security agencies that the sect has not made any reconciliation with the government and that it has not declared ceasefire.

“The task force wishes to inform law-abiding members of the public to totally disregard such publication and consider it as part of the terrorists’ propaganda strategy to keep the civil populace in captivity and perpetual fear with a view to unleashing more terror on innocent citizens”, he said

Source: Sun