The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said that a plot by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, to use two female suicide bombers to cause havoc in Maiduguri was foiled by troops, who successfully dislodged the terrorists.
Security sources revealed that two female suicide bombers detonated bombs, ahead of their attack on Ladi Kayamla near Maiduguri the Borno State capital, on Wednesday, with a plan to follow up with an attack but were swiftly routed by the Nigerian Army in the area.
The military added that the attack, which was apparently diversionary with the intention of slowing down the ongoing assault on Sambisa forest, was believed to have been carried out by terrorists escaping from their destroyed camp.
However, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the incident reassured that normalcy had been restored, adding that the army have conducted mop up operation of the area.
Members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, had launched an attack on Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
Our correspondent in Maiduguri, Blessing Tunor, confirmed that there were heavy gunshots, adding that residents in the state scampered to their homes when they got wind of the attack, while those living close to Giwa Barracks ran in different directions to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
The Boko haram militants have suffered losses in recent times, following a fresh onslaught by the Nigerian military, leading to the recapture of territories formerly controlled by the insurgents and the rescue of over a thousand people held in captivity in various locations in the northeast, many of them women and children.
Only recently, the military announced that it had raided Sambisa Forest, believed to be the last stronghold of the terrorists, and rescued numerous women and children as well.
