Deputy governor of Borno state, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, has revealed that about 600 suicide bombers have set out to storm Maiduguri to cause more pain to innocent citizens in the state.
Mustapha, who was speaking to newsmen on Friday, shortly after his return to the city also asked the people of the state to be patient with the security operatives and comply with the curfew imposed on the state as the measure is aimed at safeguarding live sand property of the people.
He said, Marte local government area of Borno state was now completely under the control of the Boko Haram and the group which lay siege on the state since Thursday following their displacement from the Sambisa Forest are bent on forcing their way into the state capital but frustrated by the gallantry of the military that have been battling to repel the group.
According to the deputy governor, there are over five battalion who are now in Maiduguri for the protection of the city, urging the people to continue to give the military and other security operatives the needed support in the fight against the insurgents.
In another development, our correspondent reports that, the bodies of nine (9) female suicide bombers, who disguise as victims of Boko Haram during the Thursday attack on Maiduguri and detonated explosive which killed some military personnel have been evacuated by the Civil Defence Corps to an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri.
A report from villages around Fori said about 25 people were killed in the Thursday attack by Boko Haram.
The military, has also relaxed the existing curfew between the hours of 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm on Friday, saying it was relaxed in order to enable people to take the opportunity to pray during the Jumaat prayer and buy some food items. However restriction of vehicular movement will take effect after 5:00pm.
