by Oke Efagene

The attacks by the Boko Haram sect on an Air Force base and the International Airport in Maiduguri, yesterday, may have  been as a result of 3 factors.

These factors are; the capturing of a key Boko Haram commander by the military last week, the incessant air raid of the sect’s cells on Maiduguri-Damaturu road and the need for reprisals.

It is also believed that there is an alleged anger over plans by the former Governor, Modu Ali Sheriff, to visit the state and attend a reception where he will speak to the sect.

According to Nigerian Eye reports:

A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, the arrested commander was said to be the sect’s “key strategist”.

The source said: “We are suspecting reprisals following the capturing of the key commander, who had been vital to Boko Haram operation. They probably felt that the commander, who was captured last week, would be revealing a lot to the military.

“They must have acted on false intelligence report that the suspect was still either being detained in Maiduguri or was being flown out of the city. They have not been able to locate the said commander. This might have accounted for spontaneous attacks on military installations and some parts of Maiduguri.”

Another source said the recent air raids on Sambisa Forest and various cells of the sect along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway might have also provoked counter-attacks.

The source added: “We saw the attacks from purely the angle of reprisals because Boko Haram has suffered some setback in recent times.

“They decided to lay ambush for the military to prove a point that they are still intact in spite of the destruction of their base and cells. On where the fighters are coming from, the source said there is a suspicion that the sect might have been using some villages in Chad as operational bases”.

It was learnt that Sheriff planned to use the forum to prove his innocence – that he did not breed the sect, as being alleged in some quarters.

Although the reception was scheduled twice in the last two and a half months, it was cancelled at the last minute. There were fears that Boko Haram sect might have got wind of the plans and decided to take over the Maiduguri International Airport to stall the reception.

A group, Borno League of Professionals, alluded to this yesterday in a statement by its Chairman, Modu Bukar Ngala and Secretary, Abba Shuaib.

In a memo to the President, the group said it suspected a proposed grand entry and rally by Sheriff for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks on Maiduguri.

The memo said: “Mr. President, Commander in Chief, the Senate President and Speaker; the National Security Adviser and rest of our eminent service chiefs, we are writing you this memorandum for the second time this year. The first time, we issued a press release but this time we gathered our had-earned naira to pay for an advertorial in defence of Borno people and Nigerians at large.

“Until yesterday, our city of Maiduguri was very peaceful in the last seven months, thanks to your decisive declaration of emergency and deployment of patriotic and professional soldiers. Thanks also to our youths, the Civilian JTF and we must also acknowledge in the spirit of objectivity and say thanks to the untiring efforts of the Borno State Government under Shettima Kashim, the Governor.

“Mr President, residents became very apprehensive, there was serious panic and fear since Saturday when the news filtered all over Maiduguri that the infamous former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff (alias S.A.S) had finished preparations and he was coming into Maiduguri today, Tuesday, 3rd of December, 2013 for a grand political entry and a rally, whether anybody likes or not.

“We do not know if the latest attack yesterday was a reaction to his planned visit but everybody in Borno knows for sure that nothing pains the Boko Haram members like seeing SAS in Borno State moving with arrogance and pride, in convoy of security details and brandishing his banbanriga or binjima as we call it, opening his chest as if he is the President of G-8 countries and rest of Africa fused into one. It is usual for residents of Borno State to be in state of fear anytime that man is coming, for his visits signify trouble”