The Nigerian Army has said that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, the catchphrase of the counter-insurgency war in the North east, on Sunday evening killed 10 suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers who tried to gain entrance into Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Even then, in the ensuing confusion, two female suicide bombers are believed to have gained entrance into the city.

According to a statement issued by the media coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole, Mustapha Anka, a Colonel, two earlier arrested suicide bombers had provided information about the impending insurgents’ attack, prompting troops to lay an ambush for them.

“2 Boko Haram terrorists’ suspected suicide bombers earlier intercepted by vigilant troops disclosed their colleagues’ intent to enter the city with the aim of detonating bombs in selected public places,” Anka stated.

“Consequently, the troops laid ambush on the terrorists suspected routes along Damboa road and eliminated them. The suicide bombers were intercepted in 3 different locations approaching the city; Ajiri area towards Damboa road, High Court axis and the Eye Hospital Area,” he further explained.

He added that men from the Explosive Ordinance Device team were already combing the area and cleaning the rubbles.

While telling residents to resume their normal activities, the spokesperson called for more vigilance and security consciousness.

Residents said the attackers drove in five Hilux vehicles and tried to enter the state capital through Aladuwari, a village about two kilometres south of Maiduguri but encountered a superior firepower from government troops who successfully fought them off.

However, it was gathered that as troops engaged the attackers, two female suicide bombers entered the city and attacked the home of a district head in Maiduguri, simply identified as Bulama Isa, killing 15 people.

According to witnesses, one of the suicide bombers had pretended that she was being chased by Boko Haram members and ran into Isa’s compound.

When the family members came out to help her, she detonated the bomb she had under her clothes, killing the district head’s three wives and 10 children.

When Isa, who was away when the attack happened, returned home and made his way to the entrance to his house, another female bomber lurking in the dark, leapt out and detonated herself, killing a woman and her baby.

Isa was said to have escaped with injuries.