Recent bombings cast doubt on deadline to eliminate Boko Haram

Boko Haram members have continued perpetrating deadly attacks in terror hotspots, coinciding with the approaching deadline President Muhammadu Buhari set the security forces to eliminate the scourge.

These have been reported in Adamawa and Borno States.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said on Monday, two suspected female suicide bombers detonated themselves at Madagali Market in Adamawa where 17 people were killed and 44 others suffered various degrees of injuries.

Confirming the Borno attack, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Major General Lamidi Adeosun said 14 female suicide bombers attempted to attack Maiduguri, Borno state capital on Sunday but were repelled by gallant troops.

Adeosun added that 26 people were killed while 85 others were injured during the attack.

He revealed that teenage female suicide bombers tried to force themselves into Maiduguri with the intent carrying out massive and coordinated suicide attacks using four different routes into the city.

Also read:Boko Haram attacks northeast Borno city, town, 80 killed

These are Asuwari, Mulai Kura, Baderi village Nine Damboa Road and Jameri village.

“They were however intercepted by the troops. Unfortunately three of them detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at various places Monday morning killing 26 Persons and injuring 85 others,” Adeosun said.

He commended the troops' courage by eliminating the suicide bombers and arresting some of them.

“We believe we have averted what would have been a major disaster if they had gained entry into the town,” said Adeosun.

The Boko Haram sect has killed some 20 000 people and displaced more than 2 million.

Buhari had set the end of the year as the deadline to eliminate the Islamic militant sect.