Nigeria on red alert over suicide bombers

The Nigerian government has urged citizens to be on red alert after the Boko Haram terrorists reverted to the use of suicide bombers in its campaign against the country.

The security alert came following a routing by Nigerian troops in collaboration with forces from neighboring countries under the platform of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) from most of its operational bases.

The security alert also urged Nigerians to be vigilant and on the lookout for potential suicide bombers already brainwashed and probably drugged by the terrorists.

In a statement made available to Xinhua, Marilyn Ogar, mouthpiece of the secret police department, called on Nigerians to be very vigilant whenever they are in crowded areas.

"It has become evident that following the successful sustained air raids and intense combat operations by the military on insurgents' positions in the North-East which had effectively degraded the capacity of the terrorists, its members are now in disarray and have resorted to taking out their anger on hapless civilians and soft targets," she said.

"Commuters should desist from boarding unmarked vehicles along the road and only use designated Motor parks. We also reiterate our call on motor park managers to ensure proper screening of vehicles, persons and luggage entering their premises. They should also look out for new faces who show up as drivers and conductors, " the secret police spokesperson said.

Boko Haram members, in their desperation to escape the military onslaughts on their camps, may have resorted to suicide bombings which was their hit-and-run tactic used for some years until 2014.

The terrorists have been using children and teenagers especially female to perpetrate their nefarious activities on soft targets in some Northern states.

Their major mission is to attack soft targets like motor parks, schools, worship centers, markets among others for maximum casualty among the citizens.

Some of the explosive devices used for suicide bombing where stolen from quarry industries within and outside the country.

The collaboration against religious extremism forged by countries around the Lake Chad Basin has so far frustrated the insurgents that it is now difficult for them to strike in Nigeria and run to neighboring countries who have sealed off their borders against the terrorists.

In the last two weeks, several towns and local governments in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States including the training facilities and logistic dumps of the insurgents have been reclaimed by Nigerians troops. Endi