The Nigerian army says troops from ​its 7 Division Garrison, on Wednesday intercepted​a​Boko Haram terrorist from detonating a suicide bomb in Sulaimanti community, in the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

A statement ​by the acting Director Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, said the terrorist, armed with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), attempted to attack worshippers at the Sulaimanti mosque during early morning prayers, but was prevented from gaining access to the mosque.

The army said five civilians sustained injuries when some of the IED exploded, and that a team of Explosive Ordinance Device was quickly drafted in to de​fuse the remaining ones.

The injured have been evacuated to the hospital, while the troops and security agents have intensified patrol within the area, the army said.

The army attributed the successful interception of the suicide bomber to the collaboration between the military and the Civilian JTF.

The acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Victor Ezugwu, was said to have visited the community shortly after the incident.

Mr. Ezugwu, a brigadier general, commiserated with the community, and reminded them of their civic responsibility to arrest or report suspected persons the military and other security agencies.