Massive bomb blast kills JTF Lieutenant & 31 others in Maiduguri

A massive blast from an improvised explosive device, yesterday, in Maidugiri reportedly killed an Army lieutenant, a soldier and 30 civilians.

The explosive was planted and targeted at a Hilux patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) by some suspected terrorists along Lagos Street of Gwange ward of Maiduguri, Borno State. The JTF, however, denied that an officer was killed in the explosion.

Also consumed by the blast were over 100 houses and 50 vehicles on the streets close to the explosion.

Confirming the incident, JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa in a text message to journalists in Maiduguri said Boko Haram Islamic sect detonated an IED targeting a Hilux Patrol vehicle of the JTF which injured two soldiers aboard the vehicle.