Captain Sadeeq Shehu, a retired military officer, has stated that Boko Haram's current reliance on suicide bombings in Borno reflects their reduced ability to execute large-scale attacks, compared to the period between 2013 and 2017.
This shift in tactics, according to Shehu, signals a significant weakening of the group's operational capabilities.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV's News Day programme, Shehu explained that Boko Haram has historically preferred different methods of attack, with suicide bombings not being their primary strategy.
He stated that the group's earlier operations were marked by more complex and larger-scale assaults, which included raids on towns, abductions, and direct confrontations with military forces.
Mr. Shehu said that the increasing reliance on suicide bombings indicates a strategic pivot likely driven by their diminished capacity to orchestrate such extensive attacks.
Shehu pointed out that the noticeable decrease in the frequency and scale of Boko Haram's attacks provides a measure of reassurance.
He said it suggests that the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by the Nigerian military and international allies are effectively degrading the group's ability to launch major offensives.
He further elaborated that the use of suicide bombings is often a sign of desperation among terrorist groups.
He claimed that when groups like Boko Haram face significant pressure and resource constraints, they may resort to these methods as a way to continue their campaign of violence despite their reduced operational capacity.
He stated that suicide bombings, while deadly, do not require the same level of resources, planning, or manpower as more coordinated attacks, making them a more feasible option for a weakened group.
Shehu said, ''It's been a long while that we heard of suicide bombings in the North East. From my records, the last time that we had a suicide bombing in the North East was in 2019. So we have had about 5½ years that we have not heard of suicide bombings.
"But when we look at the history and the modus operandi of Boko Haram, it will surprise us to find out that Boko Haram, as a terrorist organisation, does not use suicide bombing as its main method of attack.
"Boko Haram resorting to suicide bombing now shows they can no longer carry out attacks that they used to do in 2013, 2014, up to 2017. So in that, there is a sense of comfort that our security forces are putting them under pressure.''
Watch the interview video here (start from 1:44).