Lagos, Jan 31 (IANS): Boko Haram militants have changed tactics to carry out terror activities in Nigeria as security forces stepped up war against terrorism, the country's military authority said.

Boko Haram now dress like mad persons to gain unsuspecting access to public areas to detonate bombs, Xinhua quoted Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, spokesperson for the defence headquarters, as saying on Saturday.

The terrorists devised the new method in their desperation to cause havoc, Abubakar said, noting that the two male suicide bombers, dressed like mad women and carried out suicide bomb attack in Gombi, northeast Adamawa State, is instructive in this direction.

Five people lost their lives and several others were injured in the attack, he added.

He urged citizens across the country to be wary of mad persons approaching markets, public places or crowded areas.

"Nigerians are also enjoined to be security conscious at all times and should endeavour to report any suspicious person or object to security agencies for prompt action," he added.