YULETIDE: POLICE DEPLOY 1,000 OFFICERS ACROSS BORNO AFTER DEADLY MOSQUE BLAST
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Borno State Police Command has deployed more than 1,000 officers to major streets, flashpoints and churches across the state as Christians mark Christmas, in the wake of a bomb blast that killed five people and injured 35 others at a mosque on Wednesday evening.
Hotjist had reported that the explosion occurred around 6pm at the Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, while worshippers had gathered for prayers.
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent on Thursday morning, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said the incident prompted the command to intensify security, even though measures were already in place before the attack.
Daso said the police, working alongside other security agencies, would ensure heavy security presence at worship centres and recreational facilities, while encouraging residents to continue their lawful activities.
He said, “There will be full domination of security personnel at churches, recreational centres, and strategic locations where people are massively going to. We are on standby.
“It is a joint operation between the police and all emergency and security response teams. The command has deployed over 1,000 personnel within Maiduguri.”
He added that, “Though there were earlier security arrangements, however, with what happened yesterday, we are making it more intense.”
The Police Public Relations Officer urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements.
“We call on members of the public to go about their lawful business. But they should be very mindful and careful of their surroundings and use the designated emergency response number.
“Any suspicious person they see around them should be immediately reported,” he said.
Daso also disclosed that worshippers would be screened before being allowed access to churches and mosques.
“In terms of clearance, any individual going to churches must be properly scanned. And the same thing too for the mosque,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hotjist had earlier reported that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the bomb attack, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor called for increased vigilance and heightened security, particularly at places of worship during the festive season.
Zulum said, “I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer, killing 5 people and injuring 35 others. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane.”
He added, “Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship.
“I wish to express my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack and pray for the repose of their souls, and for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he stated.
The governor assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to prevent further breaches during the festive period and beyond.
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