Chadian police on Sunday warned that anyone found wearing the Muslim full-face veil would be arrested, after a Boko Haram suicide bombing in the capital left 15 dead.
Saturday’s attack in a bustling N’Djamena market by a man disguised as a woman in a full-face veil also injured 80 and spread panic across the city.
“This attack just confirms that a ban” on the full-face veil was justified, national police spokesman Paul Manga said, adding that “it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population.”
“Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,” he warned.
The bomber detonated his explosives belt when he was stopped for security checks at the entrance to the city’s main market.
Muslim-majority Chad banned the full-face veil, ramped up security measures and bombed militant positions in Nigeria last month after the first ever Boko Haram attack in its capital.
Security was tightened across the dry and dusty capital on Sunday with police and soldiers deployed in all areas, including intersections, markets and mosques.
Nine of the dead were women traders, and fear still permeated the market on Sunday.
“What was happening elsewhere and what we heard about from media reports is now happening here,” said Zenaba, a woman trader in her forties.
“I’m really scared for me and my children,” she said.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility on Twitter for the suicide bombing, signing off as “Islamic State, West Africa province” — the militants’ self-styled moniker since pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group in March.
Boko Haram’s deadly insurgency has killed at least 15,000 people since 2009 and left more than 1.5 million homeless.
A four-nation coalition of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon has reportedly pushed out the militants from captured towns and villages in an operation that began in February.
(AFP) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
That is the best way to checkmate the security situation. I hope Nigerian will take note.
ReplyDelete15000 people have been killed since 2009? This is nothing but a religion of killing, annihilation, destruction, maiming, punishment and all sorts of evil.
ReplyDeleteDid I hear someone say Islam is the religion of peace? Blimey!
That is a clue from a serious country.
ReplyDeleteNorthern state governments and indeed the Federal Government should throw away their hypocritical religious sentiments and emulate Chad in its strategy of fighting Boko Haram.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent strategy from tiny Chad that has been very exemplary in the fight against these godless terrorists. Nigeria should emulate Chad. Did I hear some Islamic fanatics raising alarm that Muslims are being persecuted? Such alarmist should question their Islamic religion which has become a fertile ground for churning out terrorists all over the world!
ReplyDeleteUna try with your distorted sentiments
DeleteThey should even be shot at sight since they could easily detonate their device when stopped for check
ReplyDelete