Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has said that the state might witness another round of suicide bomber attacks this Sallah period or shortly afterwards.
According to Zulum, about five suicide bombers sent from different Boko Haram camps had escaped into Maiduguri town recently for that purpose following the firepower being witnessed across all their camps in Maiduguri and environs.
He said the aim of the recent attacks was to simply distract the security forces from their on-going operations in the various bushes in the state where Boko Haram insurgents have their camps.
Prof Zulum told BBC Hausa Service on Friday that the recent suicide bomb attacks was not strange, but was expected especially during Ramadan period.
“Like I said, out of the five suicide bombers that escaped into Maiduguri recently, three have detonated their own with casualties as expected. But we are expecting the remaining two suicide bombers to detonate theirs, and it might likely happen this Sallah period. So, don’t be surprised if it happens because we are anticipating it.
“This bitter actions of the insurgents is a fallout of the firepower of the Nigerian security forces that was unleashed on them at their various bases in Sambisa, Konduga, and other locations in the state and environs. It’s also tactics being used to distract the security forces and government from the on-going air and land strikes in their various camps. But we would defeat them.
“However, we have directed that people should restrict their movements and activities this Sallah period so there could less casualties when it eventually happens because they often target soft spots where they would record much casualties.
“There are about four to five million people in Maiduguri town, so there’s no way we could asked everyone to stay indoors this period. That’s why we asked the people to be vigilant in their actions and movement this period.”
The governor, however, confirmed that the security forces are seriously searching and tracing to see if they could intercept the remaining two suicide bombers before they cause the havoc. (The Sun)
