Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maroua (Agenzia Fides) – Suicide bombing attacks continue in the northern region of Cameroon and in the Nigerian state of Yobe. In both countries more recently it would appear that suicide bombers are mainly women, and of all ages. According to latest reports from the city of Maroua a girl of 12 and a middle aged woman were responsible for suicide bombings in a crowded public place leaving persons dead and wounded. Whereas although Boko Haram (ISWA) is suspected, no responsibility for the episode has been claimed. In Maroua only days earlier there had been several suicide attacks by young girls. Moreover two more women blew themselves up in the town Fotokol, in the north of Cameroon. The regional government has prohibited the use of the burka, often used by Boko Haram to mask its suicide bombers. In Nigeria, another woman, apparently mentally unstable, detonated her bomb in a crowded market place in Damaturu, other women had done the same a few weeks earlier in a prayer area in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State. Since the month of June 2014, Boko Haram has used 35 women suicide bombers in Nigeria and Cameroon. The use of women makes it easier for Jihadists to organise suicide attacks since the explosives are more easily hidden in their ample clothing. Despite a military offensive coordinated by Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon targeting the ISWA stronghold in the region of Lake Chad, the jihadists have maintained rhythm in their attacks suicide and military. (AP) (29/7/2015 Agenzia Fides)
