Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The military says it is evolving new strategies to combat terrorism in the country’s North-east region.

Members of the banned Boko Haram fundamentalist sect have continued to unleash violence on helpless citizens, accounting for the loss of thousands of lives and properties, but the army says it is more determined than ever before to put an end to the terror.

Muhammad Dole, who spoke on behalf of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Borno State, said there are plans to immediately commence patrol of the towns and villages in the state, especially on market days.

He said the army had observed that increased violence is perpetrated on such days and is therefore taking the measure in order to prevent future attacks.

“The new strategy, that we will immediately adopt is the patrol of Borno towns and villages on their market days, including the 454-kilometre Maiduguri-Damaturu, Biu-Maiduguri, and Maiduguri-Gwoza roads of Central and Southern Borno state,” Dole said.

The spokesman urged residents of Bama, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Uba/Askira and Gwoza to supply the army with relevant information that will help curb the activities of the group.

“As the insurgents continue to change tactics of attacking our people in these border towns and villages, including the ones that are sighted on the peripheries of Sambisa Forest, our men have to change tactics with the adoption of new strategies to contain the incessant attacks and killing of innocent villagers,” he explained.