Three people died in Maiduguri yesterday while over a dozen sustained injuries when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeted at Joint Task Force (JTF) vehicle exploded at the Post Office area.

The JTF confirmed the incident but said one of the people that died was the bomber.

 Its spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement that: “An IED targeted at JTF patrol team exploded at Post Office Round About in Maiduguri metropolis at about 1:00 pm today (Wednesday). The explosion led to the death of 3 civilians including the bomber and wounded 2 others. A JTF vehicle was damaged.  Consequently, the JTF reiterates its determination to ensure the maintenance of law, order and safety of lives and property of all law abiding residents in Borno State,” the statement said.

 A journalist who was close by when the bomb exploded said he heard people around the area saying it was remotely controlled and all the three people killed are taxi drivers who were standing by their cabs waiting for passengers.

Witnesses said there was a loud bang followed by dust that caused commotion in the area. “The whole place was cordoned off and troops mobilized to the area. They blocked all the roads leading to the scene of the blast for over two hours,” he said.