Landmine kills eight in NE Nigeria: Security sources

AFP  |  Kano 

Eight people were killed in state, northeast Nigeria, near the border with on Monday when a vehicle hit a roadside mine, security sources told AFP.

The vehicle, part of a civilian convoy under military escort, veered off the road in an attempt to overtake another vehicle when it hit the device.

Military and civilian militia sources blamed Boko Haram jihadists for planting the mine, underlying the persistent threat to civilians in the remote region.

"The vehicle exploded and all the eight people inside were killed," said a "Seven more people from the other vehicle we're injured from the explosion."

The incident happened at about 10:00 am (0900 GMT) at Warabe village, some 15 kilometres (nearly 10 miles) from the town of Gwoza, said

The convoy had left and was heading to Pulka some 20 kilometres away on the border with he added.

The Boko Haram faction loyal to its long-time leader is known to be active in the area, which is some 130 km southeast of the state capital, Maiduguri.

In 2014 the jihadists seized Gwoza, which they renamed "Darul Hikma" ("House of Wisdom" in Arabic), and declared it the headquarters of their short-lived caliphate.

Although Nigerian troops later reclaimed the town, the group still launches sporadic attacks on troops and civilians.

Last month three people were injured and a mosque was partially damaged when grenades were fired into from a hilltop outside the town, security sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, March 19 2019. 00:45 IST