Military Arrest more Terrorists In Borno, Others Flee To Niger

According to the military sources, a major
recruiter for Boko Haram was arrested in
Maiduguri.
The Nigerian military said on Wednesday
that it has dislodged all the terrorist camps
operated by the Boko Haram in some areas
of Yobe State and arrested 49 members of
the sect in various operations in the state.
The military also said many Boko Haram
members were fleeing to neighbouring
Niger Republic through Nigeria's porous
borders.
The interior ministry had said in May that
Nigeria had about 1,500 illegal borders that
are poorly manned.
In a statement by the Director of Defence
Information, Chris Olukolade, the military
said the suspects were arrested in various
locations in the state by the Joint Task Force
following a tip off by some locals.
Various weapons including AK 47rifles,
locally made pistols, and ammunition were
recovered by the troops during the
operation in Rugan Fulani, Arikime,
Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.
The JTF team led by B.E. Inyang said all
terrorist camps had been dislodged while
some of the terrorists fled towards Niger
Republic.
It, however, said some criminals still
terrorise the state under the guise of Boko
Haram.
"The DHQ team was also informed of a 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,"
Mr. Olukolade said.
He assured residents of Yobe of safety of
lives and property and encouraged citizens
with vital information to provide the
soldiers with them as they rid the state of
the insurgents.
Success in Borno too Mr. Olukolade also said
a key terrorist who specializes in recruiting
young men into the Boko Haram has been
apprehended by troops in Maiduguri
following a tip off.
He said the suspect, who allegedly also
watches over the insurgents' armoury, was
arrested in one of the cordon and search
operations by the Special Forces. The
soldiers also arrested another group of 5
insurgents, all from Niger Republic.
They were arrested when troops stormed
their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they
attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser
Jeeps, Mr. Olukolade said.
He said the soldiers have continued to
patrol the notorious Sambisa forest and are
also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza
Hills. "More abandoned vehicles, weapons
and other items are being recovered in the
camps of the insurgents," he said.
He listed some of the recovered arms as
rifles, double barrel guns, various charms
and amulets, machine guns, as well as pairs
of camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver
and assorted rifle magazine. Others are
handset, 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," the military spokesman said.
Mr. Olukolade said police stations are now
being reopened in some parts of Borno
State. "At Kirenowa, detachments of Police
Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to
complement security in the area," he said.
The spokesman said the defence
headquarters had organised a tour of the
operational areas of the JTF for selected
local and foreign Journalists. He said the
tour is to ensure that "the media have a
first-hand information on the situation in
the operational areas."
The federal government officially declared
the Boko Haram as terrorists on Tuesday