As if to counter the claim of President Muhammadu Buhari that it had been technically defeated, Boko Haram between Sunday night and Monday morning hit Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with fatal explosions, in which scores of people died, with several others severely injured.

The Daily Trust reports that over 60 people were feared to have been killed in multiple suicide attacks which rocked different locations of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, from 7pm Sunday to 6am Monday.

“About 15 bombs might have been detonated by female bombers,” the report said, adding: “As at the time filing this report, rescue operation is still on as soldiers, Civilian Joint Task Force and other security operatives have blocked major exit routes leading to Ajilari Polo near Federal High Court and Molai road by Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp where most of the attacks took place.”

Another report by Channels TV said that on Monday morning alone, about 28 people were killed in two separate suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri.

The report said: “One of the blasts occurred near a mosque in Suleimanti area behind the Central Bank of Nigeria while the other was targeted at a residence behind an Internally Displaced People’s camp known as Bakassi, killing all 18 members of the family.

“Hospital sources said at least 75 people are receiving treatment for wounds sustained from the explosions.

“The injured are mostly worshippers from the Suleimanti Mosque who were attacked shortly after the early morning prayers.

“Meanwhile, Civilian Joint Task Force sources had confirmed 15 people dead from last evening’s encounter when assailants stormed Ali Duwari and Jiddari Polo area of the capital city.

“Witnesses said the insurgents looted food items and set houses ablaze while beating a retreat.”