37 killed, 23 injured in Biu multiple explosions

At least 37 people died in Biu town in Southern Borno state, Nigeria when multiple explosions occurred at a military checkpoint at the entrance of the town while twenty-three others were injured, security sources and ‎witnesses have said. 

A group of Boko Haram terrorists tried to enter Biu in a vehicle filled with explosives but were blocked by soldiers at a checkpoint along the Biu-Maiduguri road, a security official said. 

“A Boko Haram terrorists alighted the bus and join other travellers from other vehicle to walk through the checkpoint with their hands raised above their heads,” witnesses said.

“But a vigilant member of the Civillian-JTF who was quick to spot the Boko Haram terrorists as he was pulling the pin off the hand grenade quickly corked his rifle and shot the terrorist in the head. The man fell down and the grenade exploded killing innocent travellers and children hawking satchet water and other snacks near the checkpoint.” 

The soldiers were able to engage some of the Boko Haram insurgents behind and killed most of them. But about eight of them in the car that blew off after the grenade exploded also got killed beyond recognition, another witness said.

“We have 20 innocent persons and 17 Boko Haram that died while 23 others were injured,” a security official said. 

...PremiumTimes