Suicide bomber hits Borno military post, kills 3 soldiers

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Three soldiers attached to the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, on counter insurgency operation in Borno state were killed yesterday when a suspected suicide bomber hit a military post in Gwoza local government area of the state.

This came barely two weeks after the insurgents launched massive onslaught in the area, sacking four villages, killing 200 persons and displaced 2000 people.

Although the incident occurred around 9am, however newsmen got the information late evening following absence of mobile communication in the area as the all the telecom masts were destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents.

It was learnt that three soldiers equally wounded in the attack which happened when a Boko Haram insurgent, driven in a high speed  inside a Volkswagen car rammed it into a military checkpoint, killing three soldiers on the spot.

Residents of the area were thrown into serious panic following thunderous sound of the blast, followed by sporadic gunshots.

A resident of the area, who fled to Maiduguri late evening and declined identification, described the incident as horrifying.

“It was a suicide attack by a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect who drove in a high speed and hit his explosives-laden car into the checkpoint, behind Government Secondary School Gwoza. killing three soldiers on the spot, with three others critically wounded. We were terrified by the sound of the explosion, which was heard in the entire town.

“We all scampered for safety and fled into the bush while others climbed the mountains to hide due to intense fear as the military fired endless shootings, which thought was an gun-duel with the insurgents. But the military said we should be calmed and persuaded us to return to our homes as our security was guaranteed”, the resident said.

The resident also said security forces restricted vehicular movements in the entire town and cordoned off scene of the incident till around 5pm.