Suicide Bomber Kills Self, Policeman At Checkpoint Near Damaturu

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber blew himself up killing eight people, including two security operatives at a police checkpoint just outside Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, witnesses said. 

According to reports, the explosion occurred Monday afternoon when police officers at the said checkpoint stopped a suspicious vehicle heading for Maiduguri, Borno State. 

“As the policemen asked the passengers of the Highlander to disembark from the vehicle and file through the checkpoint one after the other, one of the passengers who had explosives hidden under his clothing, detonated the bomb, killing himself and a policeman”, an eyewitness said. 

The Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer; Toyin Gbadegesin confirmed the attack saying that eight people were killed including the suicide bomber. 

“Eight people including the suicide bomber died, two security operatives were among the dead. We will soon issue a release”, he said.