By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed reports that an explosion rocked the Maiduguri airport in Borno State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, said the information was false as there was neither an explosion nor any attack at the airport.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby wishes to notify passengers and the general public that there was neither an explosion nor intrusion at the Maiduguri airport,” the statement read in part.
“The airport was not targeted, and is not under any attack whatsoever”.
FAAN, therefore, assured air travellers that it remains committed to its core values of safety, security and comfort.
Maiduguri city, the capital of Borno State was early morning woke up by multiple heavy explosions that destroyed property worth millions of naira and left few residents injured including an infant in 1000 Housing Estate area of the capital city.
NATIONAL ACCORD reliably gathered that explosion, which occured simultaneously at four different locations, echoed the city, thereby raising tension amongst the people
Some eye witnesses living in the affected areas told our correspondent on phone that, the explosions started very early, few minutes when some Muslim faithful returned from Subhi (early morning) prayer, even as some Muslims were still in mosque praying when the explosion was heard.
Confirming the incident, senior military officer with the NA 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri (name withheld) also told our correspondent in Maiduguri, that the ISWAP terrorists have been trying to penetrate into the Maiduguri city, since Friday night”.
“However, unfortunately for them, the military kept frustrating their efforts in what can be described as joint operations with the NAF JTF Team Operation Hadin Kai supporting the armoured and infantry teams with fighter jets to chase and clear them away”.
“They were further aircrafts on surveillance over night without rest throughout the night especially, within the state capital and environs which made them to hit the town from a nearby bush not at away from the city. They used rocket launcher explosives to target the Hajj Transit camp where the repentant Insurgents with their families are being accommodated by the state government. “
“However, they are no serious casualties and normalcy has returned to the city with people going about their businesses immediately after the sanitation period 10AM. You can go round and see for your self,” the military officer said.
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