Suicide bomber begged for alms before detonating explosive, says Borno commissioner

Sugum Mai Mele, commissioner of local government and emirates affairs in Borno, says one of the suicide bombers who recently launched attacks in Gwoza LGA begged for alms before detonating her explosive.

On Saturday, four suicide bombers launched attacks at different locations in Gwoza.

Speaking on Channels TV on Monday, Mele said the suicide bombers “smuggled” themselves into the town through military gates by disguising as farmers.

Persons attending a wedding and funeral were affected by the attacks.

Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead from the attacks, with many seriously injured.

“The farmers usually go to their farms in the morning. They pass through the military gates while going and coming back from their farms. The suicide bombers smuggled in through the women that came back from the farms,” Mele said.

“There is some laxity on the part of the screening exercise. Before now, when the farmers were going out, they issued tax and would be registered.

“In the evening, when they come back, it will be marked in the register that they have come in.

“Anybody who didn’t come in after the closing hours should be arrested or not allowed to go in.

“What happened in Gwoza was that these women entered the town in the guise of being farmers. I learnt that one of them was even carrying a baby.

“She went to the venue of that incident. She was begging and people have even started giving her some incentives — N20, N50, and N100.

“She had been collecting alms in the name of a beggar. So suddenly, she now detonated the bomb. This is what is happening.”

The Borno commissioner said there is need for “some seriousness” in the screening of residents at military checkpoints.