Security intercepts bomb-laden car

•Gunmen kill two, burn school

The Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday intercepted a suicide bomb-laden car earmarked for suicide missions in Borno and Yobe states.

The driver of the ill-fated car was undergoing interrogation last night.

According to a source, the explosives were meant for suicide bombings in some strategic parts of Borno and Yobe states.

The source said: “There was an interception of a Camry car with registration no. Borno AA 867 MAF at Tudu Quarters at Mudugumeri Area of Maiduguri at about 4:30p.m.

“ The car was loaded with four cylinders; four DAF gas oil cylinders; three constructed Improvised Explosive Devices; 18 by 9 volts battery with two switches and 4 by 25 litres jerricans of incendiary materials earmarked for suicide bombings.

“The car was intercepted by a vigilant patrol team which was undergoing routine surveillance following security reports on likely simultaneous suicide bombings in Yobe and Borno states.

“All the items recovered are in the custody of the JTF for analysis and further investigation. The driver of the car has been undergoing interrogation in JTF custody.”

The source added: “Security has been reinforced in the two affected states with more teams on patrol and strategic checkpoints put on red alert.”

Two towns in Northeast states of Adamawa and Yobe have come under attack by gunmen.

Two persons died after the attack in Mubi, Adamawa Satte, where Boko Haram members have claimed responsibilities for some previous attacks.

In Damagum, Yobe State, the police repelled an attack on a police station, but the gunmen burnt down a primary school.

The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, Mr. Mark Idakwo, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Yola yesterday, said two people were killed and one was hospitalised following the attack in Sabon-Layi, Mubi, on Sunday.

The CP, who did not give details of the incident, urged the public to give any information that could assist the police to track down the yet-to-be-identified gunmen who struck on Sallah Day.

An eyewitness told NAN that six gunmen descended on the area around 8p.m on Sunday and ordered everyone to lie down.

“They collected money and handsets from the people before shooting sporadically as they retreated, hitting four people in the process,” he said.

The eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said the attack took place in front of the house of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Mubi North Local Government Area, Alhaji Sahabo Jauro.

“Most of those affected were visitors to the politician’s house,” he added.

NAN reports that apart from the incident, the Sallah celebration was peaceful in Mubi and other major towns across the state.

The police in Yobe said a section of Damagum Primary School in Damagum Local Government Area was gutted by fire from suspected explosions.

Police spokesman Toyin Gbadegeshin, said they repelled an attempted attack on Damagum Police Station by unknown persons.

Gbadegeshin said: “At about 1:05a.m., attacks launched on Damagum Police station and a worship centre were successfully repelled by the police but no casualty was recorded while the gunmen fled into the bush.’’

He said the explosion occurred a few hours before the attack on the station but nobody claimed responsibility.

The officer said no casualty was recorded in both incidents.

via The Nation