New wave of Boko Haram attacks

On Friday, news agency AFP carried reports that two female suicide bombers had killed about a dozen people at a crowded market and a military checkpoint in northeastern Nigeria. In total, more than 160 people died as Boko Haram extremists appeared to be following an "Islamic State" (IS) order to step up attacks in the holy month of Ramadan. In the most deadly attack, the militants targeted several mosques in northeastern Kukawa town and gunned down nearly 100 worshippers. An eyewitness reported that while some of the attackers then burned the corpses, others proceeded to houses and indiscriminately shot at women who were preparing food. The number of dead may rise further once official investigators and security agents visit the area.

Garba Tela, a human rights activist in Gombe, warned people who had fled not to return "until security agents clear the area and confirm the safety of the villages. There are real dangers in going back home early."

Attacks 'a sign of frustration'

The latest attacks by Boko Haram have increased fears among the general population. However, Tukur Abdulkadir, a senior lecturer in political science at Kaduna University, does not think Boko Haram is making a serious comeback. Speaking to DW, he said: "So far, they have not succeeded in capturing any local government or major towns or cities." In fact, Abdulkadir said, the latest attacks "show a level of frustration or desperation on the part of the terrorists." They indicated "a desire to make sure the government recognizes their existence."

When President Muhammadu Buhari took office at the end of May, he pledged to tackle "head on" the issues of corruption and the Boko Haram insurgency. His predecessor Goodluck Jonathan had been widely critized for his apparent reluctance to act decisively on these issues.

In contrast, Buhari "is making serious efforts," Abdulkadir said. "Just a few days ago, Buhari's vice president was in the two hardest hit states, Borno and Yobe. This is unprecedented, we never had such concern on the part of former President Goodluck Jonathan or his number two."

Abdulkadir said it was unrealistic to expect Buhari to solve the crisis after being in office for just a month. "It is going to take some time. Once he has put together a new security apparatus, then this issue will be tackled and people will see the difference."

'Inhuman and barbaric'

There were reports on Friday that Boko Haram militants had killed eleven men in Miringa village. It was unclear whether the men were Boko Haram fighters who wanted to turn themselves in or whether they had been trying to escape forced conscription.

Speaking on Friday, President Buhari condemned the latest wave of Boko Haram attacks, calling them "inhuman and barbaric." In a statement, he was quoted as saying that the violence highlighted the need "to form a more effective international coalition against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria and neighbouring countries."

On Friday, security forces in Chad seized a large weapons cache in a house in the capital N'Djamena occupied by suspected members of Boko Haram. The weapons included guns, rockets and ammunition.

Two suicide attacks in N'Djamena in mid-June by suspected Boko Haram members killed over 30 people. They were believed to be in retaliation for Chad's role in the campaign in Nigeria.

In an interview with a correspondent of DW's Hausa service, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, a member of the national executive committee of the ruling party APC, said they had never promised Nigerians the attacks would stop overnight. "We said as soon as we come we will take adequate measures to stop it and we have started [doing that.] We have to work on the military, their psyche, reorientation, we have to provide equipment and seek assistance from the international community." Shuaibu said Nigerians could expect to see results "very soon."