A suicide bomber said to be between eight and nine years old killed nine people after blowing himself up in Benisheihk town of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday at about 8.00 p.m., had brought back old memories of suicide attacks in the area.
Benisheihk is about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, 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 Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly known as Civilian JTF.
However, it was gathered that while the Civilian JTF members were in the process of screening people, the boy detonated the IED, leading to the death of nine people, while 24 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
According to Colonel Sani Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations, the security and emergency management agents have been mobilised to the scene.
“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,” Usman stated.