‘Vigilant’ sniper stops suicide bomber from attacking Borno IDPs

The Nigerian army says an insurgent who sought to attack an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri, Borno, has been killed by an army sniper.

In a statement released on Sunday, Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting director army public relations, said the “vigilant” sniper shot the male suicide bomber as he made his way to the fence of the IDP camp.

“At about 9.00am this morning, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed behind Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Damboa road, Maiduguri, on security duty, intercepted and killed a male suicide bomber who had attempted to sneak through the troops’ inner parapet towards the IDP camp,” the statement read.

“The vigilant sentry sighted the bomber and laid in wait until the suicide bomber came close. The sniper instantly shot and killed the terrorist as he tried to force his way to the western flank of the IDP camp fence.

“Unfortunately, the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) vest strapped on the bomber failed to detonate. Consequently, a combined team of military and police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have been called to safely detonate the IED. The situation at the camp and the general area is calm.”