Borno Bombings, Terrorists’ Response To Our Success In Ongoing Operations – DHQ
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The military High Command has described the recent suicide bombings in Borno as terrorists’ despicable response to recent successes in ongoing military operations.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, recent military operations have decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, and reduced their support base as well as their influence.
Borno state is currently reeling from a series of suicide bombings which occured simultaneously on Saturday, carried out by four females who set off Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Gwoza.
Eighteen people lost their lives, while several other people sustained injuries in the attack described as one of the deadliest reported in the state in recent months. The degree of injuries ranged from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
General Buba said the first attack was recorded at about 3pm, when a female suicide bomber, disguised as a beggar, invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated an IED.
About two hours later, while efforts were on to stabilize and move casualties to hospital for further treatment, there was a second detonation from another female suicide bomber on the same street and in close proximity to the first explosion.
“Troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community in order to get members of the community indoors and prevent further casualties”, Buba said, adding that, however, while troops and hybrid forces were enforcing the curfew a third explosion was recorded.
Buba revealed that the third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with IED vest. The explosion
killed a soldier and two members of hybrid forces.
The fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and she detonated the bomb prematurely such that she was the only casualty.
“On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and receiving treatment“, Buba disclosed.
“The armed forces view every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of life is a tragedy for the society, community and the nation.
”Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery”, Buba said.
He said also that the terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline.
“Citizens must see through the smoke screen of the terrorists. We must realise that terrorists aim to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.
“The military is aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise new recruits, reduce support for the armed forces, and reduce support for the government.”
Accordingly, the DHQ called on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces, to ensure a secure and peaceful future.
“The fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield,” Buba said.
