An attempt by a lone suicide bomber, Saturday, to destroy the Beneisheikh bridge on the highway linking Maiduguri to Damaturu has failed, claiming the life of the bomber.

The bridge is the only bridge along the highway considered to be the safest route from the Borno State capital to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, as Boko Haram gunmen have laid siege to the other highways .

Local residents told THEWILL that the bomber, driving a dark grey Volkswagen Golf car, attempted to blow up the bridge after the Muslims Zuhr prayers on Saturday .

They disclosed that the male bomber was driving towards the security check points at the tail of the bridge, but the explosives in the car exploded before he could find his way through the security checks.

“The suicide bomber could not reach his target before the bomb exploded, killing him with the explosion, causing injuries to dozens of roadside hawkers selling their wares, including the beggars who take advantage of the security stop to get patronage from motorists,” a Beneisheikh resident said.

Confirming the incident, a security source said: “Normalcy has returned since, there is no problem now. Vehicles are passing and people are also moving as residents are seen in town today unlike yesterday when most of the residents fled the town thinking something might happen.”