By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Seven members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect were on Monday killed after a bomb – laden vehicle in which they were travelling exploded in Biu local government, Borno State

The terrorists, who had loaded a Toyota van with beans and maize with improvised explosive devices hidden in the cargo, were believed to be headed for the busy Biu market when the booms detonated in Chikwarkir, a nearby village.

The seven occupants of the vehicle, all suspected to be Boko Haram members, were instantly killed.

The Biu market is believed to have been the terrorists’ target as they would have inflicted maximum damage because farmers from far and near who had harvested their produce have been taking them to the market for sale. Monday is also officially the market day in Biu, the headquarters of Biu local government.

Travellers, who spoke to newsmen in Maiduguri, some 185 kilometres from Biu, reported that they saw the bodies of the insurgents by the roadside in Chikwarkir.

An attempt Boko Haram gunmen to attack Biu, a strategic town in Borno State, in March was repelled by Nigerian troops. But the insurgents succeeded in burning down some schools.