‘Suicide attack was expected,’ Buratai says

Buratai said further that the attack is a sign that the remaining members of Boko Haram are struggling to survive, according to The Nation.

The army chief is said to have made the comments in Benin City during a visit to the headquarters of the 4 Brigade.

“First of all, the report talking about the end of insurgency was not properly carried. I did mention that insurgency is a very difficult situation. It is a global phenomenon and we will continue to struggle to ensure that it comes to an end very soon. This does not mean that insurgency will just die,” Buratai said.

“So, what happened today is not unexpected because these people are struggling to survive and these are the last remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists.

“And as you know very well, they are sending innocent young girls to go and kill themselves. It is unfortunate. Their (Boko Haram) end is near definitely. But terrorism, in itself, is not something that you just wish just like that; it requires a lot of intelligence, lot of painstaking measures so that we will be able to take care of it.

“They are within us, within the society and, at any point, they will sneak out and go and commit the crime. So, it requires a lot of intelligence; and a lot of painstaking measures to completely end it,” he added.

The attack, which occurred on the outskirts of the state capital, Maiduguri, is said to have left 24 people dead.

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