A female suicide bomber was shot by soldiers on Sunday evening while attempting to cause havoc at a military checkpoint around Kara Cattle Market via Antul and Mukdala in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Colonel Sani K Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations.
According to the statement, as the suicide bomber was approaching the checkpoint, she was ordered to stop from afar by troops on sentry duty. She, however, refused to stop, claiming to be on her way from Monguno to see her parents in Dikwa.
Her conduct further aroused the suspicion of the soldiers, with one of them firing a shot at her. The suspicion was confirmed as she was found to be carrying a person-borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED), which exploded, killing her instantly and causing minor injuries to two soldiers and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force assisting the soldiers.
The injured soldiers and the civilian, according to the statement, have been treated and are back at work.
Colonel Usman explained that the incident indicated that the few remnants of Boko Haram are determined to create panic and insecurity in some areas.
He also disclosed that the Army is in possession of information showing that Boko Haram terrorists now disguise or pretend to be mad men or women in order to gain access to some locations, especially in Maiduguri.
"Consequently, all should be very wary of any seemingly mentally unstable or mad men or women found wandering and report same.
"Therefore, it is imperative for all to be more security conscious and vigilant, especially during the Eid festivities and public holidays," Usman warned.
