Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Scores Feared Dead In Yobe Viewing Centre Explosion

Scores of football lovers were on Tuesday feared killed in a blast that rocked a football viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The victims were watching one of the World Cup matches involving Brazil and Mexico national teams when the explosion occurred some minutes after 8pm.

Reuters reported that there was no immediate word on casualties from security operatives. However, Channels Television reported that many   were feared dead while scores were injured.

The injured were taken to the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, according to the Lagos-based television station.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has said that a wanted top terror suspect is among the 486 suspected Boko Haram members arrested by soldiers in Abia State.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade,   in an electronic mail on Tuesday, said the terror kingpin was identified during the screening of the suspects by the Army and other security agencies.

The statement read, “A terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria has been detected in the ongoing screening of the 486 suspects nabbed while travelling in over 33 Toyota Hiace Hummer buses at night along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway last Sunday.

“So far, other security agencies, including the para-military agencies have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.

“Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.

“The identified terror kingpin has been taken into custody. Further development will be communicated to you in due course.”


Olukolade added that the focus of the ongoing screening   was to identify those that could be considered possible security risk or illegal immigrants.

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