Boko Haram: 8 Suspects Arrested, As Chief Of Army Staff

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejerika, on Friday, commended members of the Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) for supporting the Nigerian Army in the “massive hunt and arrests” of fleeing Boko Haram sect members from Borno State.
   The Youths have, since July, arrested over 160 terror suspects in Maiduguri metropolis, Bama and Damboa, 87 kilometres south of the state capital.
   Speaking to reporters, yesterday, at the end of a one-day working visit to Maiduguri, Ihejerika said: “I wish to commend the Borno Youths who have volunteered and supported us in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency, not only this state, but also the entire Northeast sub-region of the country; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; and the entire people of this state for their individual and collective support to our troops in ending the insurgency that has claimed many lives and property.”
    Ihejirika said that his visit to Maiduguri was to see how well the newly established Maj. Gen Ethan-led 7 Division of the Nigerian Army is settling down at its headquarters in Monguno.
    “I am impressed with the logistics and everything, and I am giving assurance that Army Headquarters and the Defence Headquarters are appreciative of work as they had been with the Joint Task Force (JTF).
   “I am also very impressed at the conduct of the troops because they had adhered to the rules of engagement. These soldiers have really done us proud,” Ihejirika said.
   Meanwhile, members of the Vigilance Youths and troops of 5 Brigade of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army on Friday arrested eight terror suspects in Bulunkutu and Gomari wards of Maiduguri metropolis, recovering arms and ammunition from two of the suspects.
   The arrested persons, according to one of the Youths, Audu Isa, are informants of the outlawed Islamist sect, who sneaked into Maiduguri to gather information on activities of soldiers and the Youths.
    “We were shocked at how these suspects infiltrated this city through the Gomari river bank to launch attacks on the day the Chief of Army Staff visited Maiduguri.
   “With our 24-hour patrol, we intercepted eight suspects in Bulunkutu and Gomari areas and recovered some arms and ammunition, before they were handed over to soldiers and police for further investigation.”
   Confirming the incident, yesterday, in Maiduguri, chairman of BVYG, Abubakar Mallum, said the arrest coincided with the visit of the Chief of Army Staff. He said all the arms and ammunition recovered, and the suspects were handed over to troops of 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army for interrogation.
   Thanking the Chief of Army Staff for his commendation, he said: “We have risked our lives to protect people and property.”
   The Police Public Relations Officer in Borno State, Gideon Jibrin, also confirmed the arrest to reporters in Maiduguri.