9 killed in Maiduguri blasts, Nigerian police confirm

By Olarewaju Kola
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Nine people have been confirmed dead and 13 others injured as multiple explosions hit the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri hours after Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu, confirming the death toll at a news conference on Monday, said seven suicide bombers attacked a serene community and the only university in the city Sunday, killing nine civilians.

"A male suicide bomber gained entry into the premises of the University of Maiduguri, and detonated an PBIED [Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device] on his body near the Rapid Response Services Office building. The suicide bomber died while three university security personnel on duty were injured," he disclosed.

He added one of the injured security personnel later died.

The police chief said the city was hit by another explosion in residential apartments of Zannari, a community in Maiduguri at midnight shortly after the university attack.

"Two of the suicide bombers detonated PBIEDs on their bodies in two residential buildings. The [four] bombers died killing eight other people while 11 others were injured," he said.

Two other bombers exploded themselves without making additional casualties.

The explosions came amid threats of attacks by Boko Haram during the Eid al-Fitr celebration, prompting the police to ban vehicle movement throughout the Eid prayers.

Boko Haram has recently stepped up attacks in the region.