The Defence Headquarters said the terrorist that coordinated attacks which comprises multiple Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Device ( PBIED), otherwise known as suicide bombings are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise new recruits, reduce support for the armed forces and reduce support for the government.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said this in a press statement on Tuesday in response to series of reprehensible terror attacks in Gworza LGA of Borno State over the weekend by troops of Joint Task Force OP HADIN KAI in the North East theatre.
Major General Buba noted that clearly, the terrorist embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline. He urged citizen to see through the smoke screen of the terrorist. "We must realize that, the terrorist aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population."
He said the armed forces views every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy. The sad loss of lifes are a tragedy for the society, community and the nation.
"Accordingly, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG MUSA, officers and members of the armed forces, we express our condolences even as we mourn with all who have lost loved ones. We also commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.
"Given that we are in a state of war, it must be recognized that this despicable act is a response to recent successes in ongoing military operations. Indeed, our recent operations has decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence.
He called on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future. The fate of the terrorists that perpetrated these insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out of the battlefield.
General Buba disclosed that all the attacks which took place on Saturday, 29 June 2024, first was recorded at about 1500hrs, when a female suicide bomber disguised as a beggar invaded a wedding reception at Mararaba Hausari Street and detonated Improvised Explosive Device.
Thereafter, at about 5pm, while efforts was on to stabilized and move casualities of the initial explosion to hospital for further treatment. There was a second detonation from another female suicide bomber. The second explosion was on the same street and in close proximity to the first explosion.
Troops immediately imposed a curfew on the community in order to get members of the community indoors and prevent further casualties. However, while troops and hybrid forces were enforcing the curfew a third explosion was recorded.
The third explosion targeted the troops enforcing the curfew. The troops were attacked from behind by a third lady strapped with IED vest. The explosion killed a soldier and two members of hybrid forces.
The fourth incident was averted when the suspect was identified early enough and she detonated the bomb prematurely whereby she became the only casualty. On the whole, 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degree of injuries and receiving treatment.