Nigeria: 3 female suicide bombers neutralized in Maiduguri

The Nigerian army shot and killed three women strapped with explosive device on their bodies while attempting to invade Maiduguri in the early hours of Friday, an official said.

Explosions were heard across the Borno State capital when two of the bombs went off on the assailants, killing all three of them.

Local media portals quoted the police spokesperson in the state, Victor Isuku, as having confirmed the incident.

FLASH: Bomb blast in Maiduguri behind Maimalari Barracks

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“This morning at about 0530hrs, three (3) female suicide bombers with IED strapped to their bodies were sighted by military patrol team in Umarari village, near Mulai towards Maiduguri”, he said.

“They were promptly gunned down and the IED on two of them exploded killing all three of them. The unexploded IED on the third was rendered safe and detonated by Police bomb disposal Unit who promptly mobilized to the scene”.

Boko Haram insurgents have in the recent past increased the intensity of their attacks on the local population and Army officers engaged in the counter terrorist insurgency. Late last months, two suicide bombers killed 9 people in Maiduguri.

The Army on Monday buried seven officers who were killed by Boko Haram insurgents in the Mallam Fatori area. Local media also reported the death of another two soldiers and injuries to eight others in Borno.

The Borno State police commissioner, Damian Chukwu, recently blamed the increased Boko Haram attacks on the coming of the dry season, which, he said, gives the insurgents ample access routes to invade the city through bush paths.