Troops ‘foil’ suicide attack in Maiduguri

The Nigerian army says troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole on Thursday intercepted a male suicide bomber on the outskirts of Maiduguri and neutralised the bomb he strapped on himself.

Sani Usman, acting director, army public relations, said this in a statement issued on Thursday.

The statement said the suspect attempted to infiltrate the city through the troops’ forward defences at Jidari Polo general area.

According to Usman, the insurgent came in through Alidawari village about 4 kms ahead of Jidari and strapped himself 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,” he said.

“A marksman neutralised the suicide bomber.

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