Military foils suicide attack on Kaduna barracks
Hauwa Noroh Ali, Abuja

A suspected suicide bomber disguised in military uniform was killed on Tuesday when his car bomb exploded under fire from soldiers outside a military base in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna, the army said.

"The soldiers repelled the attack and were able to stop what will have been a suicide bombing. However, after firing (at) the suicide bomber who tried to force his way, the bomb exploded and shattered the glasses that adorn the frontage of the headquarters. The suicide bomber was the only casualty," the statement signed by Raphael Isa, director of Nigerian army public relations, said.
                                                                                            
Also, multiple explosions have rocked the Kaduna metropolis as bombs allegedly planted by members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram went off in two military formations and under the popular Kawo Flyover in the state capital.

The explosions which began at about 11.45am at the One Division of the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Kaduna left heavy casualties while the alleged suicide bomber was shot dead by soldiers.

 By 12.15pm, there was another explosion under the Kawo Flyover located some metres away from the main gate to the One Division of the Nigerian Army.

 Eye witnesses said the impact of the explosion destroyed part of the Administrative Building of the One Division of the Nigerian Army. Windows and doors were shattered.

 Thirty minutes later another bomb exploded around the Nigerian Air Force Base located about 100 metres away from the bridge.

 Eyewitnesses said unspecified number of persons may have died in the explosion near the gate of the Nigeria Airforce Base.

 The multiple explosions caused commotion in several parts of the state capital as residents scampered for safety.

 Armed soldiers have cordoned off the affected areas.

 Also, the roads leading to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House office of the state governor was also cordoned off.

Reacting to the attacks, the director of army public relations, Major General Raphael Isa confirmed the attack on the military barrack. He said in a press conference at Abuja that the attack at “the one division headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna may not be unconnected with the recent arrest of some members of Boko Haram.”

 Mr Isa said that Tuesday’s attack will not deter the army from ensuring that lives and properties in the country are well secured.

 He said that the army is working on new information that will lead to the arrest of more Boko Haram members and their sponsors. 

Radical Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed hundreds this year in bomb and gun attacks in northern Nigeria. Kano, around 200 km (120 miles) north of Kaduna, was the scene of the deadliest attack by the sect, in which 186 people were killed last month.

Ugo