Roundup: Boko Haram suicide attacks causing fear in Niger
Xinhua, October 9, 2015 Adjust font size:
Suicide attacks by fighters of Boko Haram terrorist group, which have left tens of civilian and military victims in the last two weeks in Niger's Far East region of Diffa, are causing a lot of fear among the population.
For the last eight months, Nigerien Defense and Security forces (FDS) supported by the Chadian forces, have been engaged in an operation against Boko Haram in Diffa, a region neighbouring Nigeria, after repeated attacks from this terrorist group.
The offensive by both forces have helped to contain Boko Haram attacks in the entire zone for some months.
The imposition on Feb. 10, 2015 of the state of emergency in this region by FDS has helped them to achieve their mission of securing the region, and further enabled them to arrest about 1,000 Boko Haram combatants, an official source said.
Despite these efforts, and despite massive deployment of FDS, Boko Haram sect has in the last two weeks increased deadly attacks in Nigerien towns located near the border with Nigeria, but this time, using suicide bombers.
The attacks, which the local authorities believe were carried out by Boko Haram fighters who have infiltrated the local community, have left 30 people dead and 20 others injured with property of unknown value destroyed.
On Sept. 23 in the morning, Boko Haram fighters from Nigeria attacked the Nigerien village of N'Gartoua in Diffa region, killing 15 civilians and injuring four others. They also burnt a number of houses and vehicles before fleeing.
A week later, on Sept. 30, four Nigerien soldiers were killed and four others injured when they were ambushed by Boko Haram fighters while on patrol in the same region.
Then on Oct. 3, 10 people who included a soldier, five civilians and four Boko Haram suicide bombers died and seven others were injured in a suicide attack carried out by the terrorist group in Diffa town.
The latest terrorist action occurred on Monday this week when three Boko Haram suicide bombers who wanted to carry out an attack in Bosso town, still in Diffa region, died when the bomb they were carrying exploded as they attempted to enter the town.
Certainly, the group's actions did not always achieve the desired objectives as they were always contained by FDS, with the collaboration of the population.
However, they have created fear and doubt among the population.
Due to fear of attacks, several schools in Diffa villages have been closed and residents have been forced to flee from their homes.
The extent of the attacks have forced regional authorities to reinforce the existing security measures across the entire region.
Since Tuesday this week, Niger's defense minister accompanied with senior military officials have been visiting Diffa region to assess the security situation.
The authorities used the occasion to urge the armed forces deployed in the region to double their vigilance, since "they were now fighting a faceless enemy." Enditem