The theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Hassan Umaru, on Sunday gave details of yesterday’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Maiduguri, saying the terrorists were on reprisal mission.
Speaking when he visited Dalori Village, 5km from Maiduguri, to inspect damages from last night’s attacks, General Umaru said apart from launching attack on Dalori village through Yale, another village close to Maiduguri, the insurgents wanted to attack the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
“While people were running for safety towards Gomari Kerkeri village, three female suicide bombers were intercepted in their attempt to make their way into the crowd but got blown up.
“The military had prevented the insurgents from penetrating Dalori Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp which prompted detonations of IED by suicide bombers.
“Some eye witnesses claimed that the insurgents came in Volks Wagen Golf cars and motorcycles and started shooting randomly and setting houses on fire on Saturday’s night,” he said.
While condoling with the district head of the village, Alhaji Lawal Bashir, over the incident, General Umaru reassured the people of the commitment of the military to apprehend and deal with the perpetrators.
The military commander commended the villagers for their resilience and urged them to be strong and to always report strange movement and objects to relevant security agencies as soon as possible.
He also commended emergency rescuers, humanitarian and health workers for their tireless and timely response.
