Buhari: Boko Haram desperate to embarrass me

President Muhammadu Buhari says the isolated attacks of Boko Haram in the northeast are a desperate attempt to embarrass his government.

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, on Sunday, the president called on all Nigerians, especially those that are resident in areas previously ravaged by terrorists, to be more vigilant and ready to work with security operatives in ending the war against insurgency.

Reacting to the spate of suicide bombings in Chibok market, Dolari internally displaced person’s (IDP) camp in Borno state and the Gombi market in Adamawa State, Buhari said that the insurgents had suffered immensely from the sustained bombardments of their camps and hide outs by the Nigerian military and had resorted to using desperate measures to gain cheap media attention.

“I urge all citizens wherever they live to own the war against terror and to be part of the fight because it is the only way we can finish the remaining work that needs to be done to make our country safe again,” he said.

Buhari said that the insurgents had been rendered weak, confused and homeless after repeated bombings and ravaging of their camps and hide outs by the military, forcing them to find their way back into the society to wreak havoc, like the case of the Dolari IDP.

“Having lost the war, they are seeking ways and means to gradually find their way back into society. They are not returning to contribute but to cause more havoc. They are so desperate to embarrass the government and the people that they have no qualms attacking isolated communities and markets,” he added.

The president stated that the materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were locally sourced by the insurgents, urging Nigerians to be more circumspect and report suspicious purchases and movements of unusual components in any part of the country, especially the northeast.

Buhari extended his condolences to all the people of Chibok, Gombi and Dolari who lost loved ones in the recent attacks and prayed that God would comfort them and grant the injured persons quick recovery.