According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, at about 8.15 am today a tricycle, known as ‘Keke NAPEP’ unknowingly stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the side of Biu -Damboa road close to a military checkpoint at the outskirts of Biu town, Borno State.

The statement revealed that unfortunately, the IED exploded instantly killing four people comprising of a woman with her baby and two other male adults.

It added that three other people were injured including a soldier, and they were immediately evacuated to Biu General Hospital.

“We regret to state that the injured soldier also died at the hospital. The general area has been cordoned off, and Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team from Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Buratai have been mobilised further to carry out a search of the area.

“Preliminary investigations shows that the IED was buried a long time ago undetected. It exploded when the tricycle erroneously stepped on it.

We commiserate with the families of the victims of this sad incident. 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.

“We want to use this opportunity to solicit for more cooperation from members of the public to enable us to succeed in the fight against the remnants of these criminal elements going by the appellation Boko Haram terrorists.”

Sahara Reporters