The Nigerian Army has cleared the air on Tuesday morning’s bomb explosion in Gubio town, Borno State, which initial reports had said claimed nine lives.

In a statement issued later this afternoon, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, confirmed the development but said the number of casualties was eight and not nine. He also identified the victims as suicide bombers, explaining that they died in a failed attempt to attack troops at a checkpoint.

Col. Usman said: “Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed at a checkpoint in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State at about 9.15 this morning foiled a suicide attack on Gubio town by 8 Boko Haram terrorists.

“The suicide bombers who came in a Bedford Pick-up vehicle primed with Improvised Explosive Devices including suicide vests, attempted to force their way through the checkpoint but met stiff resistance from troops who insisted that the vehicle be thoroughly checked. The suicide bombers refused and blew up themselves by detonating one of the suicide vests killing all the 8 Boko Haram terrorists on board.”

•Nigerian Army Photo shows the Bedford Pick-up on fire after the bomb explosion . . . this morning in Gubio town, Borno State.