Fourteen female suicide bombers descended on Borno State on Sunday, killing 25 people and injuring at least, 85, the Nigerian Army has said.

Yushau Abubakar, a Major-General, said during a press briefing in Mai?duguri, Monday, said the suicide bombers blowing themselves into bits as they attempted to invade the city.

“The 14 female suicide bombers, who were between the ages of 12 and 18, attempted to entered Maiduguri with the intent to cause mayhem, confusion, and panic,” said Mr. Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, who represented the GOC, 7 Division, Major-General Lamidi Adeosun.

The attack, one among a recent wave of violent assaults by the Boko Haram terrorists, came days after the Nigerian government claimed it had met its December deadline of defeating the insurgents.

Mr. Abubakar said the girls, who planned to carry out coordinated suicide missions through Asmari, Damboa checkpoint, Ali Dawari, Molai Kura, Baderi, and Jumari villages, were intercepted by soldiers on patrol.

Three of the terrorists, according to the army officer, detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) while seven others were shot dead by soldiers.

One of the bombers was arrested while three others escaped.

“I believe this development has averted what would have been a major disaster if they had gained entrance into Maiduguri,” Mr. Abubakar said.

“One of the girls went into a nearby house and requested for water to perform ablution but instead prepared herself and came to a nearby mosque, killing herself and one other person while 13 others sustained injuries.”

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