Nigeria Warns of Boko Haram Plot to Use Animals as Suicide Bombers

Nigerian authorities claim Boko Haram plans to use livestock, with the help of young males, as suicide bombers.

Mike Omer, coordinator for the National Information Centre (NIC), said:

Available intelligence reports indicate a plan by Boko Haram to use young male suicide bombers disguised as cobblers to hide explosives in their tool boxes and detonate them on soft target areas such as markets, restaurants, ATM locations, political rallies, worship centres as well as other public places.

He added, “Also, there is indication of a plan by this group to use livestock, such as goats, cows, donkeys and camels laden with explosives to attack chosen targets.”

Omer issued a warning for those who own livestock: “In view of these, persons who rear goats and cows in the centre are advised in their own interest to restrict such movements because actions could be taken, and nobody should blame the police and other security agencies for taking the necessary steps.”

Nigeria released this story a day after it was reported the terrorist group use children and teenagers as their suicide bombers. Pictures on social media show children under the age of ten at a Boko Haram training camp with AK-47 rifles.

Nigeria: Amid its massacres of innocents, Boko Haram running training camps for child soldiers http://t.co/H9xbTWV43v pic.twitter.com/ODzPV4xgt7

— Think AgainTurn Away (@ThinkAgain_DOS) January 27, 2015

Omer said there are reports that militants infiltrated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, but none could be confirmed. He did confirm people who left or were released by Boko Haram do live in camps.

“Authoritatively, we can confirm to you that these persons are currently undergoing counselling at a military facility in Yobe, after which they will return home to rejoin their kith and kin,” he said.

Boko Haram displaced over 1.5 million Nigerians since 2009. The militants continue to attack, which force people to flee into Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. UNICEF reported, “Children represent 60% of the 25,000 Nigerian refugees living in Minawao camp” in Cameroon.