• IG lauds move against Shekau, others
THE
Nigerian military Wednesday announced the arrest of 55 suspected Boko
Haram terrorists in the hotbed of insurgent activities in North Eastern
states of Borno and Yobe.
Among the 55 was a group of five
insurgents of Nigerien origin who were arrested when troops stormed
their hideout at Mallam Fatori area of Maiduguri as they attempted to
escape in two Toyota Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV).
Meanwhile,
the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has described the $7
million bounty placed on the leader of the extremist Boko Haram sect,
Abubakar Shekau, by the United States (U.S.) as a welcome development.
The
Nigerian Special Forces also arrested another batch of 49 suspected
terrorists in various locations in Yobe State following tip off by
locals in some communities.
The troops also said they arrested a key terrorist who allegedly specialised in recruiting young men into the Boko Haram group.
Director
of Defence Information, Brigadier Gen. Chris Olukolade said in a
statement in Abuja that the arrested individual also keeps watch over
the insurgents’ armoury.
The three sets of insurgents were
arrested during cordon and search operations by the Special Forces
operating under the code name Operation Restore Order III.
Olukolade
stated that as troops continue to patrol the “notorious” Sambisa forest
in Maiduguri, they are also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza Hills
where they are taking possession of more abandoned vehicles, weapons and
other items left by the fleeing insurgents in their camps.
He
listed items and equipment recovered in their camps to include rifles,
double barrel guns, various charms and amulets, machine guns, camouflage
uniforms, bows and quiver, assorted rifle magazine, mobile phones,
walkie talkie, car number plates and some food items. Abandoned vehicles
recovered include a Golf car, a Honda, Customs Pickup Van, Honda (2003
Model) and a Volkswagen Monte Carlo.
Olukolade added that during
the arrest of the 48 insurgents, various weapons including AK 47 rifles,
locally made pistols and ammunition were recovered by the troops who
were combing the vicinities of towns such as Rugan Fulani, Arikime,
Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.
General Olukolade also said that
for the first time in years, police stations are now being reopened in
some parts of Borno State.
According to him, “at Kirenowa,
detachments of Police Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to
complement security in the area.”
But Olukolade said there is a
developing “trend whereby some particular crimes have now taken the
place of terrorism as the criminals now resort to brigandage, robbery
and attempted assassination of business rivals.
All law abiding
Nigerians were, however, assured of the safety of their lives and
property as troops of the Special Forces, comprising various security
agencies including the police anti-bomb squads are working round the
clock to nip the negative trend in the bud.
Citizens were further
encouraged to continue to volunteer information on activities of any
terrorists in order to help troops rid the state of insurgents.
The
IG, who was in Ibadan, Oyo State to commission an ultra modern police
hospital at the state command headquarters, said the bounty placed on
the Boko Haram leader is a boost for the fight against terrorism in the
country.
He also promised better days ahead for members of the Nigeria Police and their families.
“Our
officers have been left unattended to for years. But things have
changed now. We are doing this because we want to show love to our
people. I have commissioned similar projects in many other states and
before the end of the year, we shall do more,” he said.
