Troops avert suicide attack on maiduguri

Troops of Operation LAFIA DOLE Friday intercepted a suicide bomber attempting to enter Maiduguri and unleash havoc in an unidentified location.

According a statement issued by the Army Spokesman Col. Sani Usman, the male suicide bomber came in from Alidawari Village from the Polo general area about 4km on the outskirts of Maiduguri but was sighted and gunned down by some eagle eyed security operatives after he resisted attempts to be stopped and checked by vigilante.

The statement reads in part: "Today at about 6.30am, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE intercepted and neutralized a male suicide bomber at the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

"The terrorist who attempted to infiltrate through the troops forward defences at Jidari Polo general area, came in through Alidawari village about 4 kilometres ahead of Jidari strapped with heavy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest.

"The vigilant troops on sighting him laid in wait for the intruder when vehemently refused to stop despite several warnings and challenges. A marksman neutralized the suicide bomber.

"The combined team of Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) safely detonated the IED laden vest on the suicide bomber," the statement reads.

The Nation reports that Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful without any incident of an attack from the Boko Haram insurgents since the ambush of the UN convoy by the insurgents along Bama road and the last ambush which claimed the lives of an officer and some soldiers.