3 suicide bombers killed in Nigeria abortive attack

Two female suicide bombers were shot dead and another killed by an explosive device she was carrying in an abortive attack near Nigeria's northern city of Maiduguri early Monday, local police said.

Confirming the incident, head of the police in the northeastern state of Borno, Damian Chukwu said the female bombers were suspected to be foot soldiers of terror group Boko Haram, which is blamed for more than 20,000 deaths and displacement of 2.3 million people since 2009 in the west African country.

The bombers were accosted by a local security group when they attempted to enter Mamanti village close Maiduguri, the state capital.

The two who attempted to escape were shot dead by security personnel on duty, Chukwu said.

A police anti-bomb squad has been drafted to the scene to render it safe.

Government forces are intensifying aerial and ground patrols in the country's northeast. Endit