Members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect are cowards because they carry out attacks on innocent and defenceless people, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika said in Abuja yesterday. It was the first major statement on the sect by a top security officer since the bomb attack on the Nigeria Police Headquarters in Abuja two weeks ago, for which the sect members claimed responsibility.

Speaking at a press briefing to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebrations (NADCEL), Ihejirika said Boko Haram sect members have recently adopted the strategy of attacking innocent people just to instill fear in the public not to disclose to the security agencies their whereabouts and their mode of attacks.

He said, “They are cowards. If they are not, why can’t they fight in the open? People should not be intimidated by the sect’s attack strategy and should give sufficient information on them to the security agencies.”

The Army Chief said traditional institutions and religious leaders have important roles to play in addressing the Boko Haram attacks by counseling their members to be vigilant and to share vital information with the authorities. He said the army is ready to cooperate with the public to solve all security challenges.