A suicide bomber said to be between eight and nine years old has killed nine people after blowing himself up in Benisheihk town of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday at about 8pm.
Benisheihk is about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri.
It is along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road where Boko Haram slaughtered over 300 travellers in 2013.
The suicide bomber, who was in the company of two other accomplices aged between 10 and 15, was spotted by vigilant members of the Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly known as Civilian Joint Task Force.
The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said security and emergency management agents have been mobilised to the scene.
Usman said in a statement: “The bodies have been evacuated and all those injured are receiving medical attention. The security agencies have intensified patrols and security checks in the area.
“While we condemn this dastardly act and commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives and the injured, it is pertinent to reiterate the need for more security consciousness and vigilance by all especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.”
