Mike Omeri: says Boko Haram plans to use cobblers.

The Nigerian government said on Thursday it had uncovered plans by insurgents to use cobblers, also called shoe shiners, and livestock to bomb public places.

Mike Omeri, Coordinator of the National Information Centre, disclosed that this was a new method the insurgent group is planning to adopt in its quest to continue to wreck havoc on the people of the country.

“The insurgents plan to hide explosives in the tool boxes of the cobblers and detonate them at markets, political rallies, ATM points, restaurant and places of worship.

“There is also indication of a plan to use livestock such as goats, cows, donkey and camels laden with explosives to attack chosen targets.

“In view of this, the general public, including persons operating within and around the aforementioned places, is advised to be vigilant,” Omeri said as he urged the public to be mindful of suspicious activities in their environment.

Omeri confirmed the release of some persons taken captive by the Boko Haram sect in Yobe, adding that they were in military custody undergoing counseling. He also disclosed that they would be released to their families after the counseling.

He said government’s team, made up of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and Red Cross travelled to Niger Republic on Wednesday to distribute relief materials to 100,000 displaced persons.

Among the materials distributed, he said, included 540 metric tonnes of foodstuff.