Boko Haram beats security checks, kills 7 in Borno

Boko Haram entered an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of vehicles in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State on Tuesday evening and killed seven.

Security sources and residents said that convoy of vehicles, led by military escorts, ware cleared at a military checkpoint in Molai, a suburb of Maiduguri on Tuesday and unknown to the troops that some Boko Haram vehicles had infiltrated the convoy.

Sources also said one of the insurgents’ vehicles was laced with explosives which hit a military vehicle at the end of the convoy.

The source added that some Boko Haram drove in immediately and started firing sporadically.

The insurgents reportedly moved into the community and set fire on houses, shops and a local market there. A middle-age woman who came to the area on visitation was burnt alive in a house.

Military troops were later deployed to the scene, just as a fighter jet hovered around the area for nearly 30 minutes, to push back the insurgents. Scores of residents fled their homes, thereafter.

Residents said seven bodies were evacuated after the attack but security sources said the casualty figure could be higher.

Last week, two explosives were thrown into a public hospital in the area; by suspected Boko Haram, although there was no casualty.