Two suicide bombers were killed yesterday in Kano by their own bombs while trying to bomb Airtel and MTN facilities in two separately coordinated incidents.
In what appeared a resumed spate of attacks on telecommunications facilities, especially in the Northern parts of the country, two suicide bombers Saturday died in Kano as they targeted Airtel and MTN offices.
One of the suicide bombers rammed an Improvised Explosion Device-laden car into the main building of the Airtel zonal office located at Malam Kato Square. The bomber, who died in the process, injured one operator.
But the MTN connectivity office, located at Maimalari Road, escaped by the whiskers, as a team of the Joint Task Force (JTF) prevented the bomber from gaining entrance. The bomb, nevertheless, exploded, killing the bomber instantly.
According to sources, suicide bomber hit the office at about 8 am and damaged the telecommunication’s outfit reception, as well as three vehicles parked at the premises.
The Spokesman of Joint security Task force (JTF) Captain Ikedichi Iweha confirmed the incidents that “ the two suicide bombers were known to have lost their lives in the two incidents while a watchman of the telecoms company sustained injury “.
Captain Iweha explained that officers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have cordoned off the area, and no civilians were killed during the blast as it affected the suicide bomber alone.
The JTF spokesman disclosed that the operatives of the task force are in firm control of the situation, adding that everybody is going about his business without problem.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Saturday confirmed the coordinated attacks by suicide bombers at facilities of two telecom operators in separate locations in Kano Municipality.
The agency's Head of Public Relations, Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib said in a statement that the bombers targeted the Airtel office around Mallam Kato Square old Parade Ground of Unknown Soldiers and MTN facility opposite Floor Mill, Malali Road Kano.
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Saturday said it has mobilised response agencies to the scene of the early morning attacks by suicide bombers at facilities of two telecom operators — MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria — in separate locations in Kano Municipality.
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Saturday said it has mobilised response agencies to the scene of the early morning attacks by suicide bombers at facilities of two telecom operators — MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria — in separate locations in Kano Municipality.
It was gathered Saturday that, apart from the JTF, which responded promptly to the suicide bombing, the telecom operators also notified other relevant security agencies and are currently receiving “usual cooperation.”
Confirming the coordinated attacks, spokesperson of NEMA, Mr. Yushau Shuaib, said the attacks were targeted at Airtel office around Mallam Kato Square old Parade Ground of Unknown Soldiers and MTN facility, opposite Floor Mill, Malali Road, Kano.
He hinted that security had further been strengthened in the State, and areas of the attacks cordoned off.
Also confirming the explosions, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Funmi Omogbenigun, said although the suicide bombers targeted the company’s Switch in Kano, there was no fatalities “on the part of MTN security or employees.”
Omogbenigun, in an email exchange, said: “There was an attempted attack at our Switch in Kano by a car laden with IED; there was an explosion at the gate. There were no fatalities on the part of MTN security operatives or employees.”
She, however, noted that “appropriate security agencies have been informed and we are receiving the usual co operation.”
The attack on Airtel’s Kano facility came few days after the telecommunications service provider said it had strengthened its network quality for the yuletide.
