Northern residents panic over renewed terror, bomb threats

CDS Musa

The recent surge in violent attacks and the indiscriminate planting of bombs by bandits and terrorists in parts of Northern Nigeria is fueling fear across communities in the region, Sunday PUNCH findings have revealed.

After a brief lull, the country again witnessed renewed terror assaults as terrorists resumed attacks on soft targets.

On Monday, the Borno State Police Command said it recovered and defused an Improvised Explosive Device planted near an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of the state.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, ASP Nahum Daso, revealed that the device, described as ‘victim-operated’ was found in a border town, about 272 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.

The incident happened less than 24 hours after the police defused another explosive planted on a farm in Dikwa LGA of the state.

On Monday, bandits also killed at least 34 worshippers at a mosque in Unguwar Mantau community of Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State.

The assailants stormed the community mosque around 5am while residents were observing Fajr prayers.

They opened fire on the worshippers in what officials described as a reprisal.

On Wednesday, suspected herders also killed four people in two communities of Agatu LGA of Benue State.

Also during the week, no fewer than 15 farmers were reportedly killed in a fresh attack on seven villages of Manden, Jibin, Tim, Jiblang, Koppang, Mihdihin, and Jilem in Chakfem district of Mangu LGA, Plateau State.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday, confirmed the resurgent killings and attack, linking them to the build-up to the 2027 general elections.