Five Killed In Biu, Borno State As Tricycle Steps On IED

Towns in the northeast Nigeria may not be totally free from the terrorist group Boko Haram as five persons were killed after a tricycle stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Biu town, Borno State.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said the IED planted by the side of Biu-Damboa road close to a military checkpoint at the outskirts of Biu town exploded instantly killing four persons comprising of a woman with her baby and two male adults.

Three other persons were injured including a soldier. They were evacuated to Biu General Hospital but the injured soldier reportedly died at the hospital.

Preliminary investigations by the Army showed that the IED was buried in the town a long time ago but was not detected by the security forces.

“We commiserate with the families of the victims of this sad incident,” Usman said.

“This unfortunate development has brought to the fore, the need for more security consciousness and vigilance among all.

“We would like to reiterate that the explosion would not deter us from seeing to the end of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding through our ongoing clearance operations,” the Army spokesman said.

He urged members of the public to cooperate more with the army to enable it succeed in the fight against the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists.