Ammunitions test causes panic in Borno Follow @Hitbizafrika

1. Heavy sounds suspected to be from bombs by Boko Haram militants caused panic among Borno residents on monday, February 1.

The loud sounds which sounded like bomb blast came at about 9.43am while the second was heard a minute later, causing anxiety among the people, the Sun reports.

Narrating his experience, Ishaya Adamu, a resident said he was certain the loud sound were bomb explosions when he heard his neighbour shout and began reciting Islamic verses for prayers when there is bad occurrence.

The fear among residents was also heightened following reports in the social media that Boko Haram sect launched an attacked on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno state capital hours earlier.

However, military authorities have attributed the sounds as coming from an arms test exercise which was carried out to ensure effectiveness in its ongoing counter-insurgency operation.

It described the exercise as normal and urged residence not to panic, saying the exercise was to give effectiveness in its ongoing counter-insurgency operation. 

The authorities also noted that residents were notified earlier on local radio and television stations on Sunday night, urging residents not to panic when it commences its testing exercise in the early hours of Monday.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has reacted to the recent report published by the human rights group, Amnesty International, regarding the reinstatement of Major General Ahmadu Mohammed into military service.

Amnesty International in its report, alleged that Major General Mohammed, was involved in human rights abuses while he was the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, Borno state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 2, the Nigerian Army thanked the exalted body for its observation but faulted it for failing to consider the circumstances that led to his illegal retirement and the legal procedure that was followed in his reinstatement.