Troops rescue 241 women, children; arrest terrorists’ commander, 42 others

Boko Commander nabbed

According to Vanguard,  Army authorities disclosed, yesterday, that special forces prosecuting the war on terror have arrested a Boko Haram Commander, one Bulama Modu, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies, even as another 241 hostages, particularly women and children, were rescued.

A statement by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, stated that “on Wednesday, advancing troops along Banki axis were making tremendous progress during which they cleared two Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages.

“The troops have also arrested 43 suspectedBoko Haram terrorists, including one of the kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu who is anAmir of Bulakuri.

Recovered weapons“The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation. To further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village.

“Apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin. He confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.

“Similarly, the troops arrested one suspectedBoko Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village, who revealed that the terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village in Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, factory.

“He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel.”

Sallah curfew

Meanwhile, the Army has announced a restriction of movement in Borno State for vehicles during the Eid El Kabir celebrations from 5pm yesterday, until the celebrations are over.

A statement by Col. Tukur Gusau, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said: “The restriction on vehicular move-ments will be observed during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations throughout the state.”

DHQ warns of fake national Id cards

The Defence Headquarters, yesterday, warned against approaching unauthorized agencies and individuals for national identification registration, saying the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, remained the only agency responsible for registration and issuance of the national identity card.

A statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said: “In view of the prevailing racketeering, the Defence Headquarters hereby warns members of the public to be mindful of getting their national identification from sources other than the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.

“Such acts of illegal reproduction of the national ID cards could engender a serious security breach in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the north-east.

“The public are also warned that the approved national ID card, which is a chip-based card, has over 18 security features, some of which are not visible to the eyes, distinguishing it from any of its kinds and can only be issued by NIMC. The printing, which is by laser engraving, stands it out easily.

“Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east also used similar method of identification for their members in the past, who were nabbed by the military.