One person has been killed and 11 others injured following the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Maiduguri, Borno State, during a protest against bad governance.
The incident took place at Deribe Junction, near the Federal Government Girls’ College Monguno (FGGC) Annex in the Bulumkutu area.
Police Commissioner Yusuf Lawal reported on Friday that the injured were taken to the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri for treatment, while the deceased’s body was sent for autopsy.
The police deployed Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) personnel to secure the area around a nearby filling station.
Additionally, in Biu local government area, a case of culpable homicide was reported. Muhammad Wakshama reported that his son-in-law, Ibrahim Bulama, had struck his wife, Maryam Ibrahim, with a stick, causing severe head injuries. Maryam was taken to General Hospital Biu but was pronounced dead on Thursday. The suspect has been arrested, and an investigation is ongoing.
These incidents have raised the total number of deaths in the state to 17 within the past 48 hours, with several others injured. The Borno command assured residents that investigations were underway and that normalcy had been restored.
Meanwhile, the Borno Government and security agencies have temporarily relaxed the curfew to allow Muslims to attend Friday (Jumaat) prayers.
The curfew will be lifted from 12 pm to 3 pm today to facilitate prayers at local mosques, resuming from 3 pm until 6 am on Saturday. Residents are advised to conduct their activities peacefully and avoid any violence.
Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Daso Nahun, confirmed that this measure aims to support public safety and maintain order amid the recent series of incidents, including protests, IED explosions, and homicide.
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