President Muhammadu Buhari has given the assurance that with the current renewed determination of the Nigerian security agencies, coupled with the regional and international attention constantly focused on the eradication of terrorism, the final end of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight.
Buhari made his prediction again in Abuja while commiserating with families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Umarari village, near Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Mr Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser, Media, in a statement on Wednesday quoted Buhari as saying the condemnable and reprehensible attack on a place of worship by perpetrators who pretended to be worshippers has once again exposed them as mere criminals who have no place among civilised people.
The President expressed his deepest sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Borno over the incident.
He wished speedy recovery to those injured, and also commended the security agencies and care givers for their prompt deployment to the area and reaffirmed that those who perpetrate, finance, organise and sponsor these reprehensible acts of terrorism will not escape punishment.
22 killed as two female suicide mombers attack Borno mosque
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that two female suicide bombers attacked a mosque Molai-Ummarari in Maiduguri, early Wednesday, killing 22 persons and injuring 18.
An official of the civilian JTF, Alhaji Danbata, who coordinated the evacuation of the victims, said the attack in Ummarari village, on the outskirt of Maiduguri, occurred during early morning prayers.
Ummarari is about 5km South of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Army spokesman, Col Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a statement said the first attack targeted a mosque while the second attack occurred about 50 metres away a few minutes later.
“This is to confirm that there were twin person-borne improvised attacks carried out by two female suicide bombers in Ummarari village near Molai, outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
“Sadly, 22 persons were killed and 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“Troops, security agents and caregivers have been mobilized to the scene while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.”
According to him, troops and the civilian JTF have secured the area and were combing the environment for possible clues.
“While we commiserate with the families of the victims of this dastardly act, we wish to reassure the public that we would continue to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding.
“We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.
He advised members of the public to be more security conscious, and to cooperate with the security agencies.
The blast is the first to be recorded in Borno State since the last that killed about 60 persons at an IDPs Camp in Dikwa, a town 85km away from Maiduguri.
5 killed in bomb attack on another Borno village
Three operatives of the local vigilante force helping soldiers in the fight against Boko Haram were, Tuesday, killed by a bomb planted on the road by insurgents, officials said.
Two civilians from Huyum village in Askira Uba Local Government of Borno State were also killed in the ensuing shootout between vigilante operatives and ambushing members of Boko Haram.
Spokesman of the Vigilante Group in Borno State, Abbas Gava, told journalists on phone that his colleagues were moving in a patrol vehicle when they drove over the bomb in Huyum village.
Boko Haram attack on Borno Mosque is act of desperation – Buratai
The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, has described the twin bomb attack in Borno State by members of the Boko Haram sect as a pointer to the fact that the group is struggling to survive after heavy bombardments from the military.
General Buratai, who lamented that innocent young girls were being sent to kill themselves, spoke in Benin City when he paid a working visit to the headquarters of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army.
Buratai said efforts were on to bring an end to insurgency in the country, and that those carrying out the attacks were the last remnants of the Boko Haram insurgency.
When asked about the re-run elections in Rivers State, the Army Chief said they were working to ensure peace during the period of the elections.
He said: ”First of all, that report talking about the end of insurgency was not properly carried in the news. I did mention that insurgency is a very, very difficult situation. It is a global phenomenon and we will continue to struggle to ensure that comes to an end very soon. This does not mean that insurgency will just die down.”
-Leadership