Two female suicide bombers kill 13 people in separate blasts

The four countries-all of which border Lake Chad, a focal point of Boko Haram unrest-launched offensives against the militants early this year as it became apparent that the armed group was gaining too much ground in Nigeria.

“The terrorists first descended on Muslim worshippers in various mosques who were observing the maghrib [evening] prayer shortly after breaking their [Ramadan] fast”, Babami Alhaji Kolo, a witness of the shooting, told The Guardian.

He said eight victims of the attack were still recuperating at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). The women are said to have been spared.

“Government will, however, not be negotiating from a position of weakness, but that of strength”, he said.

Boko Haram on Tuesday laid siege to the village of Mussaram, about 20 miles from Kukawa, killing another 48 men and boys. They went there in the night when the villagers were resting after the day’s fasting and assembled them before opening fire on them.

“Many died, some escaped”.

“Nigeria and Cameroon need to have the best relations…to work together”.

Boko Haram is still holding many women, children and young girls captive including 219 from the school kidnapping in April of a year ago. Some reports have suggested that the number dead from this attack is up to 150.

The terror group has intensified its attacks of violence since Buhari came to power on May 29th.

France will provide training, research and information from its intelligent services on Boko Haram plans to Cameroon, he said.

Mr Buhari – who was sworn in in May – sees fighting Boko Haram as a priority.

He said the terrorists were advancing from Koshebe village in Mafa town, located about seven kilometres towards Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area before being engaged by the military personnel who repelled the insurgents’ attempt.

The militants have since resorted to deadly hit-and-run attacks on settlements and using suicide bombers. He said the attackers killed “many” and burned down houses.

There was no immediate official comment from the security forces nor a confirmed death toll.

At least 11 men in the village of Miringa were dragged from their homes by Boko Haram fighters on Friday and shot for escaping forced conscription by the group, residents said.