BOKO HARAM ARMOURY CAPTURED

Special Forces in the ongoing military offensive against Boko Haram in the North have captured the sect’s armoury keeper and recruitment kingpin among 54 other insurgents.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in its mission update signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-General Chris Olukolade, yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that the armoury keeper and five Nigeriens were arrested Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State. The other 49 insurgents were apprehended in Yobe State as at last weekend.

Also, the key terrorist, who specialized in recruiting youths and other terrorists were seized by troops following a tip-off.  A huge cache of deadly weapons of mass destruction was recovered by troops from the suspects, both in Borno and Yobe states. “The same individual who also watches over the insurgents’ armoury was arrested in one of the cordon-and-search operations by the Special Forces.

“Another group of five insurgents, all Nigeriens, were arrested when troops stormed their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they attempted to escape in two Toyota Landcruiser SUVs. “Troops continued to patrol the notorious Sambisa forest and are also combing the Alou forest and Gwoza Hills. More abandoned vehicles, weapons and other items are being recovered in the camps of the insurgents.

“Among the recent finds are rifles, double barrel guns, charms and amulets, machine guns as well as camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver and assorted rifle magazines. Others are handsets, walkie-talkie, car number plates and food items. Abandoned vehicles recovered include a Golf Car, a Honda, Customs Pick-up van, Honda (2003 model) and a Volkswagen Monte Carlo.

“A total of 49 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were apprehended in various locations in Yobe State by troops of Special Forces following a tip-off by locals in some communities. “The arrests which were made during cordon-and-search operations also witnessed the recovery of various weapons including AK 47 rifles, locally-made pistols and ammunition by the troops combing the vicinities of towns such as  Rugan Fulani, Arikime, Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.

“This development was narrated to the Defence Headquarters Operation Assessment Team in Damaturu during the weekend. The team led by Air Commodore B. E. Inyang, was also briefed that all the camps of the terrorists in the area had been dislodged as some of the insurgents fled into Niger Republic.

“The DHQ team was also informed of a trend whereby certain crimes have now taken the place of terrorism as the criminals now resort to brigandage, robbery and attempted assassinations 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. Operation Restore Order III continues”, the DHQ said.

Happy with the present security improvement in the states, it disclosed that police stations were now being re-opened in some parts of Borno State. At Kirenowa, a detachment of police anti-terrorist unit had been deployed to complement security in the area.

“Meanwhile, a team of local and foreign journalists has commenced a tour of the operational areas of the Joint Task Force (JTF). The tour organized by the Defence Headquarters is to ensure that the media have a first-hand information on the situation in the operational areas”, it stated.