Army: Boko Haram informants, logistics suppliers arrested in Borno

The Nigerian Army says troops of operation Hadin Kai have killed three Boko Haram insurgents and arrested some of the sect’s informants, in an operation carried out in Borno state.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the troops of 151 task force battalion conducted an ambush operation along the Banki junction and Miyanti road.

The army spokesman also said security operatives had, on July 15, arrested some suspected insurgents who surrendered to troops along with their families, while fleeing their enclaves, following continuous bombardment of their hideouts by the military.

According to him, the suspected insurgents and their families were arrested at the outskirts of Aza and Bula Daloye villages in Bama LGA of Borno.

“The arrested suspects comprised of eleven adult male terrorists, five adult females and twelve children,” Nwachukwu said.

“The troops also recovered 27 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, three AK-47 rifle magazines and a black fragmental jacket from the suspects. They are currently undergoing preliminary investigations.”

The army spokesperson further disclosed that troops of 7 division garrison, in conjunction with the civilian joint task force, on July 17, tracked and arrested Boko Haram informants and logistics suppliers at Lawanti and Gongolun communities of Jere LGA in Borno.

He said the suspects had confessed to be working as informants for insurgents, whom they provide with information on troops’ movements, locations, deployments, calibre of weapons, and other activities.

According to him, they also admitted to supplying insurgents with items such as “petroleum oil and lubricant (POL), drugs, mosquito nets, kolanuts, recharge cards and foodstuff”.

Nwachukwu added that the suspects confessed to have been remunerated with proceeds made from the sale of old motorcycle parts.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has commended the troops for being proactive in the ongoing clearance operations. He charged them to maintain the tempo and ensure the terrorists are smoked out of their enclaves,” the spokesman added.