Suicide Bombers Kill Themselves And One Soldier In Maiduguri

Three people were killed in Maiduguri on Tuesday when two male suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killing themselves and a soldier at Airport roundabout of Gomari.

The explosion came less than 12 hours after twin suicide bombers struck in neighbouring Damaturu, the Yobe state capital where 6 people including the suicide bombers lost their lives and 26 people were also injured.

The explosion which shook the vicinity also injured 4 passersby at about 10:22pm when the curfew time of 9:30 imposed on the city of Maiduguri had elapsed.

A resident of the area said the suicide bombers came in a tricycle during the curfew hours, and were asked to stop and park at a military check point by the soldier and some of the civilian JTF members who were on patrol at the checkpoint .

According to a source, the sucide bombers detonated the IED strapped on their bodies when they came close to the men manning the checkpoint killing themselves and a soldier.

He said “ when the military stopped the suicide bombers, they parked and both alighted from the tricycle, they were asked to come closer to one of the military personnel to identify themselves.

According to him, as they approached the soldier and some of the civilian JTF members, one of the suicide bomber detonated his Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) strapped to his body killing themselves, while the soldier who was critically injured died before reaching hospital.

Confirming the incident, the Borno state commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun said “yes there was an explosion at 22:18 hours yesterday 25 August at the Airport roundabout along Maiduguri-Damaturu road when two suicide bombers on foot detonated IED strapped on their bodies, during questioning, killing themselves and one security personnel.

“Security personnel have since been drafted to the scene to comb the area and render assistance while the corpse have been evacuated to the mortuary, investigations is ongoing " the CP responded in a text message.