Series of bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria kill at least 11

Series of bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria kill at least 11

2011-06-08 07:18:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABUJA, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 11 people have died after a series of bomb explosions struck two police stations and a church in the northeastern region of Nigeria, officials said Tuesday.

Explosions blasted two separate police stations in Maiduguri, located in Nigeria's Borno State on Tuesday afternoon, as well as the Catholic Cathedral of St Patrick's Church located in the same city, local authorities told the Nigerian Tribune.

According to Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lawal Abdullahi, the blasts struck the Dandal Divisional police station and the Gwange police station. Following the bomb explosions, gunfire was opened, and three bomb attackers were killed as well as two others.

The bomb attacks have been attributed to the radical militant Islamist group Boko Haram, which has been responsible for constant violent attacks in northern Nigeria against police, soldiers, religious leaders, and politicians.

The explosions occurred after newly elected governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima toured the city to visit the newly-inaugurated state House of Assembly and other construction projects.

On Monday, a group of gunmen riding motorcycles - that police have associated with the Boko Haram group - opened fire and killed Sheik Ibrahim Birkuti, a cleric from a rival sect, at his Biu, Maiduguri residence.

Last week, the Boko Haram group were also responsible for a number of bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Zaria, and Bauchi that killed at least 15 people before President Goodluck Jonathan was inaugurated.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-08