The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai gave reasons on Sunday why incidents of suicide bombings have drastically reduced in Borno state. He claimed the army had identified where the perpetrators are located and destroyed it.
It was gathered that the key position has been destroyed by troops in conjunction with other security agencies who invaded the areas and stifled their attempts.
Gen Buratai noted that effort has limited the effrontery of the suicide bombers in the last couple of days in Borno, particularly Maiduguri.
“By and large, I tell you that suicide bombing has been reduced drastically. In the last three days, there has been no Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) attack or suicide attacks and this, we hope it would continue,” the amy chief explained.
“They may decide to come but we are able to take out one key area that we are even suspecting, our troops were able to clear them in conjunction with other security agencies.
“I won’t say at this stage that we have been able to make breakthrough in respect of suicide bombing, but we have made substantial progress and we hope it will be sustained,’’ Buratai reiterated.
“Definitely, there is no way you will say that these suicide bombers, who are teenagers, young girls, some even under-age can move in from wherever they are strapped into the town except with the guidance of someone within the town or vicinity.
“We still suspect that there are some sympathisers and collaborators or some members that have sneak into town hiding and they direct these would-be suicide bombers to targeted areas.
“The issue of suicide bombing is an issue of intelligence which we are working in collaboration with other security agencies and indeed with the civil authority to see how this can be addressed quickly,’’ he said.
National Daily recalls that the latest attempt to bomb Maiduguri residents happened earlier today, Sunday, leading to the death of the suicide bombers near a petrol station.