How Boko Haram Sent 14 Female Suicide Bombers To Carry Out Coordinated Attacks On Maiduguri – Army

At least 25 persons were killed and 85 injured when 14 female suicide bombers descended on Borno State on Sunday, the Nigerian Army has said.

Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, said during a press briefing in Mai‎duguri, the state capital on Monday that the suicide bombers blew themselves into bits as they attempted to invade the city.

“The 14 female suicide bombers, who were between the ages of 12 and 18, attempted to entered Maiduguri with the intent to cause mayhem, confusion, and panic”, said Mr. Abubakar, who was represented by the GOC, 7 Division, Major-General Lamidi Adeosun.

Mr. Abubakar said the girls, who planned to carry out coordinated suicide missions through Asmari, Damboa checkpoint, Ali Dawari, Molai Kura, Baderi, and Jumari villages, were intercepted by soldiers on patrol.

Three of the terrorists, according to the commander of the operation lafiya dole, detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) while seven others were shot dead by soldiers.

One of the bombers was however arrested, while three others escaped.

“I believe this development has averted what would have been a major disaster if they had gained entrance into Maiduguri”, Mr. Abubakar said.

“One of the girls went into a nearby house and requested for water to perform ablution but instead prepared herself and came to a nearby mosque, killing herself and one other person while 13 others sustained injuries”.

On a sad note, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar said four soldiers lost their lives recently when the insurgents ambushed Nigerian troops in Mairaria village on the Maiduguri and Firgi road.

Fourteen insurgents, he said, also died in the ensuing gun battle.

The army general noted that the terrorists had now resorted to attacking “soft targets” and ‎laying ambush for soldiers due to their weakened strength.

Also‎ speaking to journalists on Monday, in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police Command confirmed the death of scores of people after a suspected bomb blast near a mosque in Silimanti on the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Victor Isuku, the Police Public Relations Officer, gave the confirmation while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri.

“I can confirm to you that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday”, Mr. Isuku said.

“But I cannot give you the casualty figures as aid workers are still counting”.