Intel from failed suicide bombers shows that parents ‘donate’ their girls to Boko Haram- Army

Amidst rising incidence of suicide attacks in Nigeria’s northeast, the Nigerian military has noted a disturbing trend of parents giving their daughters to Boko Haram to be used as suicide bombers.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who made this claim in a statement released on Saturday, attributed the intelligence backing the claim to revelations from arrested failed suicide bombers.

He went on to appeal to religious, traditional and community rulers in the northeast to dissuade parents from donating their children to Boko Haram.

Read also: Scores feared dead as multiple explosions hit a hospital in Maiduguri

He said, “The Nigerian Army wishes to appeal to religious, traditional and community leaders, as well as all well-meaning Nigerians, especially in the North-East of our country, to help dissuade people from donating their daughters or wards to Boko Haram terrorists for indoctrination and suicide bombing missions.

“This appeal became expedient in view of recent revelations by some intercepted female suicide bombers during interrogations. It was discovered that most of these hapless minors were ‘donated’ to the terrorist sect by their heartless and misguided parents and guardians, as part of their contribution to the perpetuation of the Boko Haram terrorists’ dastardly acts against the Nigerian society and humanity.

“The acts of these parents and guardians are not only barbaric, but condemnable and unacceptable. Nigerians have a responsibility and obligation to collectively mould our children and wards.

“Consequently, members of the public are kindly requested to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious persons or those whose daughters or female wards are missing or have not been seen recently. The public is also kindly reminded that the Nigerian Army’s offer and reward of N500,000 to anybody that brings information about suicide bombing is still available.”

Suicide attacks especially involving female suicide bombers have been on the increase in the Boko Haram-ravaged northeast, with the military still continuing to search for the most effective countermeasures.

 

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