Police confirm, explain dawn explosions in Maiduguri

Police confirm, explain dawn explosions in Maiduguri

File Photo: Tranport trucks wait for military escort in Maiduguri, PHOTO: AFP

The Police Command, Borno, has allayed fears over the sound of explosions that pervaded the Maiduguri metropolis in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr Edet Okon, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), allayed the fears over the alleged Boko Haram attack in a statement made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.

“Owing to the sound of heavy gunshot heard this morning around Maiduguri Metropolis, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Damian Chukwu, wishes to inform members of the public that there is no attack in any part of Maiduguri.

“In the circumstance, there is no threat to public peace and order.

“The gunfire were not targeted at members of the public but was for security purposes,’’ he said.

Edet urged on voters in the state to come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice.

He also reiterated the commitment of the police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful, fair and free elections in the state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that series of explosions were heard in the Borno capital of Maiduguri on Saturday, just hours before the opening of polls in presidential and National Assembly.

There was no immediate indication of the cause but the city has been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram Islamists.