By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, Borno State, particularly,  Maiduguri, the state capital, has witnessed sustained attacks by insurgents, suspected to be Boko Haram members.

*Wreckage of Dangote truck burnt down at the frontage of the Gomari Divisional Office which was completely razed down by Book Haram yesterday.

The first attack that welcomed the already traumatized citizens of  the state to the new era was the attempted invasion on May 30, at about 12:30am when residents were asleep.

The attackers, in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), rocket grenades and anti-aircraft guns, attacked Malari village, killed 15 residents and injured 19 others in Bulunkutu Tsaleke, Gomari and Ajilari areas.

The killings, according to Ibrahim Yakubu of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), were caused by the  insurgents’ sporadic gunshots and shelling in the three villages.

“We were terrified and shocked on how these areas were targeted by Boko Haram and killing innocent people last night. Of the people killed,  five were children while two were women sleeping in the open because of the heat in their houses”, Yakubu said.

He said the insurgents burst into Malari through the north-east flank of the Sambisa forest on a dirt road, before crossing River Ngadabul to launch their attacks on the communities.

Same day, a suicide bomber exploded bombs in a mosque along Ali Kotoko Road, near Maiduguri Monday Market, leaving 26 dead and 28 critically injured.

The incident took place at about 3:45pm when Muslim faithful were performing their La,asar prayers.

“A bomb exploded at the Adam Kolo Central Mosque along Ali Kotoko Road of Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) during an afternoon prayer, killed 26 people and left about 28 critically injured”, Mallam Abba Shukura, who was among those evacuating the victims, said.

On Sunday, May 31, a suspected Boko Haram sect member planted an IED  at Gamboru market in Maiduguri, which exploded  in the afternoon, injuring four people.

Eyewitnesses said that after the IED was planted, the suspect detonated it at the peak of market hours of 1.30pm.

On Monday, May 1,  a suicide bomber, who attempted to sneak into Biu, the second largest town in southern part of the state, was accosted by men of the Civilian JTF on routine check, but when the suicide bomber realized that he could be caught, he detonated the explosives he was carrying, killing himself. He was the only victim of the attack.

On Tuesday, June 2, some insurgents in a convoy of vehicles laden with IEDs, rapid propelled

grenades (RPGs) and anti-craft guns attacked Moronti village and killed five people, before soldiers repelled them.

Same day, a deadly attack was carried out when a suicide bomber who disguised as a herbalist/traditional medicine seller sneaked into the Maiduguri abattoir at the Cattle Market (Kasuwan Shanu) killing over 30 people while injuring 28 others.

It was gathered that the bomber came into the market with a tape recorder playing President Buhari campaign jingles which attracted many, and when he realized that the jingles had attracted dozens, he detonated the explosives he was carrying.

On June 13, some militants attempted to attack Babangia but soldiers repelled them and drove them towards Bayamari and into Sasawa forest, north-east of the council headquarters.

On June 15, an explosion, suspected to have been triggered by landmines planted by insurgents along Maiduguri – Damboa Road exploded, killing six people including policemen, a soldier and  PHCN officials on their way to repair vandalized transmission lines which supply Maiduguri and some parts of Niger Republic electricity.

On June 16, at least 98 people, including members of Civilian JTF, were feared dead with scores injured when a bag filled with IEDs discovered by operatives of the Civilian JTF at a deserted camp of Boko Haram near Monguno village accidentally exploded. .

On  June 22, a suicide bomber sneaked into Baga fish market, Maiduguri and detonated explosives, leaving dozens dead.

The incident took place at about 3:30pm when Muslim faithful in the market were observing their prayers.