Buhari Condemns Attack as Suicide Bombers Kill 22 in Borno Mosque

President Muhammadu Buhari wednesday condemned the suicide terrorist attack on a mosque in Umarari village, near Maiduguri, Borno State, saying that the attack on worshippers had shown that Boko Haram insurgents are not Muslims but criminals.
His condemnation came after the Nigerian Army confirmed the death of 22 people in the latest suicide attacks near Maiduguri by two female carriers suspected to be linked to the Boko Haram sect.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday said there were twin person-borne improvised explosive attacks carried out by two female carriers yesterday morning.

According to Usman, the first attack targeted a mosque, while the second blast occurred about 50 metres away, a few minutes later.

“Sadly, 22 people were killed and 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“Troops, security agents and caregivers have been mobilised to the scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.

“The troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues,” he said.
The army spokesman, while commiserating with the families of the victims, reassured the public that the military would continue to rout the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding.

“We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice,” he added.

Usman implored Nigerians to be more security conscious, cooperate with the troops and security agencies

Reacting to the attack, the president, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, assured Nigerians that with the current renewed determination of Nigerian security agencies, coupled with the regional and international attention constantly focused on the eradication of terrorism, the end of Boko Haram was in sight.

Buhari, while commiserating with families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Umarari village, said the condemnable and reprehensible attack on a place of worship by perpetrators who pretended to be worshippers, had once again exposed them as mere criminals who had no place among civilised people.

Buhari expressed his deepest sympathy and condolence to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Borno State over the incident.

The president, who wished speedy recovery to those injured, also commended the security agencies and caregivers for their prompt deployment to the area and reaffirmed that those who perpetrate, finance, organise and sponsor “these reprehensible acts of terrorism would not escape punishment”.

He implored Nigerians to continue to remain vigilant to the antics of these lawless individuals and cooperate with the relevant government agencies in their unshaken resolve to defeat the enemy.

Also, the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, said the twin suicide bombings were indicative that the terror group is struggling to survive.

Buratai, who stated that it was unfortunate that young innocent girls were being sent to kill themselves, spoke in Benin City when he paid a working visit to the headquarters of 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
Buratai said efforts were ongoing to bring an end to insurgency in the country, adding that those carrying out attacks are the last remnants of Boko Haram insurgency.

Addressing soldiers of the brigade, Buratai urged them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and to the president and commander-in-chief, promising to address the challenges they currently face.

The attack near Maiduguri notwithstanding, Usman said yesterday that the Nigerian military had sustained the clearance of Boko Haram’s reported locations and hideouts in the North-east, leading to the recovery of an armoured personnel carrier (APC) in Yobe State.

Usman said that troops of 120 Task Force Battalion cleared a camp at Bulasari in the state yesterday, adding that the latest onslaught against the terror group came after another camp in Golgore was cleared on Tuesday.

During the operation, he said, quite a number of insurgents were killed while one soldier sustained a gunshot wound.
He said the wounded soldier’s condition was stable and was being managed at Damaturu General Hospital.
According to Usman, “One of the most significant aspects of the operation was the recovery of a Nigerian Army armoured personnel carrier captured by the terrorists during an attack on Buni Yadi on July 9, 2015.”
He said that the APC was discovered at Golgore River and evacuated.