Hours After Buhari Declared Victory, Female Suicide Bombers Strike

Two female suicide bombers struck in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, in the early hours of Monday.

Victor Isuku, spokesman of the Borno state police command, confirmed the incident.

Only one of the attackers, a female, was said to have died in the latest attack, as the other was reportedly captured before striking.

The incident comes less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari praised the military for capturing Sambisa, described as Boko Haram’s last enclave.

“I am delighted at, and most proud of, the gallant troops of the Nigerian army on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa forest,” the president had said.

But the Federal Government has congratulated the troops of the Nigerian military. In a statement on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the troops as they cleared the remnants of the terrorists who were on the run.

He also called for increased vigilance among Nigerians, saying Boko Haram escapees sought to integrate themselves into communities far and near, stating that they should be vigilant.

He said, ‘We urge Nigerians to keep our gallant and victorious troops in their prayers and to also imbibe the mantra of ‘if you see something, say something’ as a way of ensuring that no escaped terrorist is able to wreak havoc on their communities.

“It is also important to know that now that they have been dispossessed of their fortress, the Boko Haram escapees will intensify their cowardly attacks on vulnerable targets if only to maintain an illusion of terror, but there should be no panic because the worst is over.’’

He said overall, the leadership provided by Buhari provided the much-needed impetus for the military’s victory in the North-East and urged Nigerians to continue to give their unalloyed support to the President in his untiring efforts to restore peace and security across the country and also to revamp the economy.