Suicide bomber kills 6 soldiers in Damaturu, Yobe State

A lone suicide bomber in a vehicle loaded with explosives yesterday rammed into a military vehicle in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, killing six soldiers and three civilians. The bomber also died in the attack, witnesses said.

The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility.

Witnesses said the incident took place around 12 noon at Shagari Low-Cost junction in Damaturu. Following the blast, most residents hurriedly rushed back to their homes as angry JTF operatives fired gunshots continuously into the air.

It was gathered that the suicide bomber parked his vehicle by the road side waiting for the JTF patrol team which he suspected was trailing him, and suddenly detonate the explosives as the patrol team they approached him.

One witness who has a shop close to the scene said: “I saw him (suicide bomber) when he parked a CR-V jeep by the roadside. When the army vehicles vehicle approached, he suddenly crashed into one of them. Many people were affected by the heavy explosion, including one of our shop attendants who was killed instantly by the effect of the blast. The other attendant sustained serious injuries.”

Yobe state police commissioner Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed the incident, saying two military patrol vehicles suspected a CRV jeep and trailed the speeding driver, not knowing that the vehicle was loaded with explosives.

“As they stopped him, the EIDs detonated and killed six soldiers, injured one soldier and a civilian,” he said.