MAIDUGURI-NO fewer than three explosions hit Maiduguri, Borno State capital, yesterday, and gunfire rang out after suspected members of an Islamist sect attacked police stations.

Blasts struck the fire service headquarters, Ramat Square parade ground and the central Dandal area of Maiduguri.

Gunmen attacked three police stations and hospital sources said five bodies were brought in from one of them.

“I am still receiving reports from the various divisions but I can confirm that Gwange and Dandal (police stations) have been attacked,” police spokesman Lawal Abdullahi said.

Suspected members of radical group Boko Haram, which said it wanted a wider application of sharia (Islamic law) in Nigeria, has carried out almost daily attacks in and around Maiduguri in recent months.

Its targets have been soldiers, policemen, prison warders and politicians as well as religious and traditional rulers opposed to its ideology.

An influential cleric critical of the sect was shot dead as he left a mosque in Biu, some 200 km (124 miles) south of Maiduguri, on Monday afternoon.

A spokesman for the group also claimed responsibility on local radio last week for coordinated bombs that killed at least 16 people hours after President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in on May 29.