Internally Displaced Persons in Monguno town of Borno State were saved from what could have turned out a deadly attack when vigilant troops of the Nigeria Army spotted three female suicide advancing towards their camp and gunned down two of them in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said.
One of the suicide bombers was able to detonate her device hidden under her garment amidst the shooting and got two innocent civilians injured.
This happened as another detachment of the troops, still in northern part of Borno, was able to ambush a gang of Boko Haram members conveying supplies of logistics for their members somewhere near Kukawa local government area of Borno State.
Kukawa is just about 48km northwest of Monguno.
The soldiers were able to subdue the moving Boko Haram members by killing four of them. They intercepted several litres of different of vehicle fuel, cache of arms and IEDs.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Sani Kukasheka Usman who revealed these in two press statements, said the troop were in good form and continuing with the operation in the disturbed region.
The two statements read in full:
“Today at about 6.15am, 3 female Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers attempted to attack innocent Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fetching water at a borehole located about 3 kilometres, outskirt of Monguno town along Marte road.
Unfortunately, the explosive they were strapped with exploded and injured 2 civilians nearby. The injured persons have been evacuated and are receiving medical attention at the 8 Task Force Division’s medical facility.
“However, the third suicide bomber that followed a different route, detonated some distance before troops deployment along the same road at about 7.10am.
“Troops have cordoned off the general area and imposed restriction of movement into Monguno while they the general area and make it safe”.
“At the early hours of today, troops of 118 Task Force Battalion, 8 Task Force Division sprang a surprised ambush on some elements of Boko Haram terrorists along Gerere Junction, Kukawa Local Government Area, on the northern part of Borno State.
“The Boko Haram terrorists were suspected to be fleeing from the advancing troops of 119 Task Force Battalion presently mopping the general area of Kangarwa in Kukawa Local Government Area.
“During the operation, the troops killed 4 Boko Haram terrorists carrying logistics items. The troops recovered 48 Jerry cans containing 1,440 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Automatic Gasoline Oil (AGO), 8 Motorcycles out of which 2 were destroyed, 21 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifles, an unprimed Improvised Explosive Device and a 36 Henagar Hand Grenade, as well as assorted drugs.
“However, one of the military vehicle and communication equipment were badly damaged from gun shots by the terrorists.
“The troops have continued to intensify vigilance and high level of alertness following concerted efforts of clearing the remnants of the terrorists”.
