Posted on: 09:48 Fri, 30 Jan 2015



Coordinated attacks by Boko Haram on Maiduguri, Konduga and Monguno in Borno State confirmed claims that there are moles in the North-East who divulge military operations to insurgents. There were also hints that the Armed Forces may have intended to dislodge terrorists in order to clear the entire region for a peaceful polls next month.

Sources said this week’s attacks were a desperate and diversionary attempt to pre-empt a massive onslaught and create an escape route for Boko Haram commanders.

The sources said, “but the most callous aspect of the attacks was the conscription and deployment of child-soldiers, teenage-female suicide bombers and animals to frustrate troops.

Senior military officers knowledgeable in military tactics and operations concerning plans to launch the “wipe off” attack on terrorists infested locations in the North East said the attacks on the three towns could be a further confirmation of allegations that there were Boko Haram moles in high places.

“It is common knowledge that the military were preparing a comprehensive onslaught on the Boko Haram terrorists in an operation meant to rid the entire region of insurgency in time for the general elections.

According to the source, last weekend’s multiple strike by the insurgents was meant to slow down or even prevent and divert the attention of the military from commencing the determined operation against them.

The source noted that the pattern of the attack was also common to the terrorists who embark upon such desperate and unlikely to succeed attacks just to create room for commanders to escape from their camps in view of impending military raids in the areas.

The source said: “The increasing use of child fighters and women in their campaign of terror in the recent encounter is quite baffling. They used animals, armed children and occasional women to confront the soldiers while their commanders operate from the back and mostly in the armoured vehicles”

Some residents of the three towns were also blamed for aiding and abetting the terrorists by providing information about troops’ movements and wonder how the military can succeed in the fight against terrorists when those they are supposed to be defending are the real enemies.

“The recent retreat of soldiers from Monguno occurred following betrayal of the troops by some locals who leaked some information to the terrorists and subsequent attacks from strange locations within the community.
Unfortunately, troops do not have the same leeway to operate like terrorists because they are bound to observe international rules of engagement.

“Attacks or retaliation by the military on suspected areas occupied by civilians could be tagged as human right abuse and negating international conventions on rules of engagements.