Bomb blast kills 10 locals, 4 NSCDC officers in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Landmine suspected to be planted by Boko Haram terrorists exploded yesterday morning at Galadima Kogo in Shiroro local government area of Niger State, killing 10 locals and 4 NSCDC officers.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki.

“The explosion followed last night raid where the rampaging, hydraheaded terrorists attacked the community”.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar in a telephone interview said four security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) were injured in the attack.

Umar stated that the suspected Boko Haram terrorists stormed the town shooting sporadically before the bomb explosion that involved a vehicle.

He noted that the state government and security agencies are on top of the situation.

Confirming the incident, NSCDC in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, said the bomb explosion rocked an operational vehicle of the Niger State Command of corps, killing four personnel instantly while the driver of the vehicle sustained very serious injuries during the blast and had been rushed to the hospital where he is currently battling for his life.

“The explosion occured along Galadiman kogo axis in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State at the early hours of Monday morning involving some officers and men of NSCDC Niger Command attached to Shiroro HYDRO Power Station, Shiroro, Niger State on a routine patrol in the early hours of Monday morning when their patrol vehicle stepped on a buried land mine which exploded immediately killing all occupants except the driver who is currently in a very critical condition.

“The dead personnel were identified as:

Mohammed Ibrahim, Assistant Superintendent of Corps 1; Cheche Ahmed, Assistant Superintendent of Corps 11; Yunusa Mahmam, Inspector of Corps and Bala Abdullahi, Corps Assistant 1. The driver identified as Inspector Bala Adamu is currently in the hospital receiving treatment.”