SUICIDE BOMBER GUNNED DOWN

A deadly explosion was yesterday averted by the police in Borno when a 25-year-old suicide bomber with heavily wired Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was gunned down by policemen at the entrance of the state headquarters of the police in Maiduguri.

The bomber had defiled attempts to check his Honda Accord car at the command's gate yesterday afternoon and had driven into the premises, knocking down policemen at the gate. Police authority said the unusual speed with which the bomber drove into the headquarters and his refusal to stop for check and search at the gate drew the attention of some policemen around as they opened fire on him.

Unexpectedly, the car hit a tree and halted immediately while policemen rushed to check the occupant. They were shocked to discover that the driver who defied checks at the sentry was a suicide bomber on a deadly mission.

They also discovered that the car painted in ash colour with registration number AP 851 ABJ was loaded with improvised explosives and 50 litres of petrol, a 28kg of raw acid, six gas cylinders and other devices well wired up to the steering head.

Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Simeon Midenda who briefed journalists on the incident said the command had received text messages ostensibly authored by the Boko Haram, threatening to disrupt the ongoing recruitment exercise of cadet policemen at the state headquarters.

'As a result of the already tight security around the police headquarters and other police formations in the state, a man aged about 25 years gatecrashed into the police headquarters in a Honda Accord saloon car with registration number AP 851 ABJ, knocking down policemen at the gate and headed towards the main building,' Midenda disclosed.

He said the scenario alerted the policemen on guard at the gate as they immediately opened fire on the suicide bomber, sensing he might run into the building for a deadly purpose.

Items found in the car include six gas cylinders weighing 13.6kg (each with its wiring), one air conditioner gas cylinder and two 25litre jerry can of petrol, one tin of ABRO can of 5litre volume and one acid orange 28kg drum, all wired together and terminated at the steering with a small remote.

Midenda attributed the success recorded to God and the prayers of concerned citizens of the state, noting that the people had been praying for restoration of peace and end to the Boko Haram problem.

He said investigation had commenced into the incident even as he urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies in fighting terrorism. He also enjoined them not to panic but asked the people to continue their normal businesses.