President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians, particularly those in the North-East states, to be more vigilant and ready to work with security operatives in ending the war against insurgency.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The statement said Buhari was reacting to the spate of suicide bombings in Chibok market, Dolari Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp in Borno, and the Gombi market in Adamawa.
The President noted that the materials for the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were locally sourced by the insurgents, and urged Nigerians to be more circumspect and report suspicious purchases and movements of unusual components across the country.
He noted that the insurgents had suffered immensely from the sustained bombardments of their camps and hideouts by the Nigerian military and had resorted to using desperate measures to gain cheap media attention.
“I urge all citizens, wherever they live, to own the war against terror and to be part of the fight, because it is the only way we can finish the remaining work that needs to be done to make our country safe again,’’ he said.
Buhari said that the terrorists had been rendered weak, confused and homeless after repeated bombings and ravaging of their camps and hideouts by the military.
He further noted that the terrorists had been forced to find their way back into the society to wreak havoc, like the case of the Dolari IDP camp.
“Having lost the war, they are seeking ways and means to gradually find their way back into society.
“They are not returning to contribute, but to cause more havoc.
“They are so desperate to embarrass the government and the people that they have no qualms attacking isolated communities and markets,’’ he added.
Buhari extended his condolences to all the people of Chibok, Gombi and Dolari who lost loved ones in the recent bomb attacks.
He prayed that the Almighty God would comfort them and grant the injured persons quick recovery.
The Nigerian Army on Sunday confirmed the killing of scores of people after suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched a night attack on Dalori village at the outskirt of Maiduguri.
Col. Mustapha Anka, the Media Coordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole Theater Command, stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Anka said the attack was targeted at members of the local vigilance group, the Civilian JTF.
“It was a desperate reprisal attack on the strong, determined and committed members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and innocent citizens.
“Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched an attack on Dalori, through Yale from the rear of Dalori village.’’
The coordinator said that the attackers came to the village in two Golf salon cars.
“The terrorists were believed to have arrived in two Golf salon cars and motorcycles before they started opening fire and burning houses.
“Their motive was to cause rancour and penetrate crowd with suicide bombers.
“Also, while people were running for their dear lives to Gomari Kerkeri village, three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd but were intercepted and subsequently blown up.
“During the incident, lives were lost while some people sustained injuries.’’
The terrorists also attempted to penetrate the Dalori IDP camp but the attempt was resisted by the troop which resulted into detonation of Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) by suicide bombers.
In his condolence visit to Dalori, the Theater commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Umaru condoled with the District Head of Dalori, Alhaji Lawal Bashir and entire dwellers for the unfortunate incident.
He assured the people of the Theater’s commitment to bring insurgency to an end soon.
Umaru also commended the villagers for their resilience and urged them to be strong and committed in the fight against insurgency.
He thanked NEMA, SEMA, Red Cross and other stakeholders “for their tireless humanitarian efforts.”
It was learned from some villagers and aid workers that no fewer than 50 persons were killed during the attack.
Meanwhile, a National Assembly member from Adamawa State, Senator Abdulazeez Nyako, on Sunday donated drugs to hospitals in Yola where victims of Friday’s explosion in Gombi are being treated.
Presenting the drugs to the management of Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, both in Yola, Nyako, who represents Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the Senate, condemned the blast which claimed many lives.
He said that he had begun the compilation of property destroyed by the blast and was making effort to ensure that victims received assistance from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and donor-organisations.
Receiving the drugs, which included antibiotics and bandages, at the Specialist Hospital, the Director Nursing Services, Mr Bello Maidugu, commended the senator for the gesture.
Maidugu assured that the items would be utilised in the treatment of the blast victims.
Similarly, the Director of Administration of the Federal Medical Centre, Alhaji Aliyu Nayejo, while receiving the items expressed gratitude to the lawmaker for caring for the insurgency victims.
He said that the drugs would supplement those provided by the federal and state governments.
Nyako also visited Koh and other communities in Girei Local Government Area of the state where communal clashes occurred on January 24.
He donated food items, mats and blankets to victims of the disturbances in the area and sued for peace.
Receiving the senator, the Head of Koh community, Mr Victor Nashepdon, thanked him for the gesture, and called for urgent support from the state government to farmers affected by the crisis.
Nashepdon claimed that no fewer than 72 farmers lost their lives in the clashes.
