Parents across northeast Nigeria accused of donating their daughters to Boko Haram for suicide bombing missions

NIGERIAN military chiefs have attributed the recent rise in suicide bombings to parents across the northeast of the country donating their daughters to Boko Haram who use them as mules to carry out attacks.

Over the last two years, the military has succeeded in curbing the activities of Boko Haram, limiting its area of operation to Borno State in the far northeast but over recent weeks, however, there have been quite a few attacks. Army spokesman Brigadier Sani Usman, appealed to religious, traditional and community leaders in the zone to help dissuade parents from donating their wards and daughters as suicide bombers to the Boko Haram sect.

Brigadier Usman said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to appeal to religious, traditional and community leaders, as well as all well-meaning Nigerians especially in the northeast 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."

He added that Nigerians have a responsibility and obligation to collectively mould their children and wards and define a better future for them rather than condemning them to death by the criminal Boko Haram terrorists and their sympathisers through suicide bombings. Brigadier Usman asked the public to  report any suspicious persons or those whose daughters or female wards are missing or have not been seen recently.

"You can report by calling 193 on any network. The public is also, please, reminded that the Nigerian Army’s offer and reward of the sum of N500,000 to anybody that brought information about suicide bombing, is still available,” Brigadier Usman added.