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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja has said that counter-insurgency troops in the North East have arrested Boko Haram informants and logistics suppliers in Borno State. The soldiers came in contact with the suspects while on a cordon and search operation in the area.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, who made this known on Monday, said the suspects confessed to providing the terrorists with information on troop movements, locations, deployments, strength, the calibre of weapons and other activities.
They also confessed to have been supplying the terrorists with basic logistics like Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL), drugs, mosquito nets, kola nuts, recharge cards and food items.
He said the soldiers also arrested 26 suspected members of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) comprising eleven males, five females and twelve children who surrendered to troops along with their families while fleeing their hideouts following continuous bombardment by troops.
Gen Nwachukwu listed weapons recovered from the terrorists during the operations to include 27 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 3 AK 47 rifle magazines and one black fragmental Jacket.
The statement reads:
‘In a concerted effort to ensure terrorists are cleared within their area of responsibility, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion recently staged an ambush operation on an identified terrorists’ crossing point along Banki Junction – Miyanti road to prevent movement of terrorists’ logistics and replenishment. At the ambush site, the vigilant troops came in contact with the unsuspecting terrorists and neutralised three BHTs, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
‘In a separate operation, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion (Bn) in 21 Special Brigade area of operational responsibility on 15 July 2021 arrested suspected members of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who surrendered to troops along with their families, while fleeing their enclaves, following the continuous bombardment of their hideouts by troops of the Battalion.
The escaping terrorists and their families were arrested at the outskirts of Aza and Bula Daloye villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State by troops of the Battalion on fighting patrol at Miyanti and Darajamel. The arrested suspects comprised eleven adult male terrorists, five adult females and twelve children. The troops also recovered 27 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 3 AK 47 rifle magazines and a black fragmental Jacket from the suspects. They are currently undergoing preliminary investigations.
‘In a separate operation on 17 July 2021, troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force; acting on credible intelligence tracked and arrested Boko Haram informants and logistics suppliers, during a cordon and search operation in Lawanti and Gongolun Communities of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
‘During preliminary investigations, the suspects confessed to have been working as informants for the terrorists, whom they provide with information on troops’ movements, locations, deployments, strength, the calibre of weapons and other activities.
‘They also admitted to having supplied the terrorists with basic logistics for their daily survival, ranging from Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL), drugs, mosquito nets, kola nuts, recharge cards and foodstuff. The suspects also disclosed that they were remunerated by the terrorists with proceeds made from selling dismantled old motorcycle parts to dealers in order to fund their purchases.
‘The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commended the proactiveness of the troops in the ongoing Clearance Operations. He charged them to maintain the tempo and ensure the terrorists are smoked out of their enclaves.’
