The suspects
Defence headquarters said on Tuesday that a “terror kingpin” on the list of wanted terrorists of Nigerian security forces has been detected in the screening of 486 suspects arrested in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by defence spokesman Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade.
The suspects were nabbed along Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway while travelling in over 33 Hiace Hummer buses at night on June 15.
Olukolade said the identified terror kingpin had been taken into custody and that “further development would be communicated in due course”.
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He said that so far, other security agencies including the para-military had joined in the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.
Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants were expected to be identified for further action.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway by soldiers attached to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Ukwa West LGA, Abia State.
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The men, aged between 16 and 24, were being conveyed in 33 buses when they were stopped at the road between Aro-Ngwa and Imo Gate along the expressway.
Some of the buses conveying more persons were said to have sped off and escaped arrest.
They could not disclose their destination, according to state government officials, but said they were looking for jobs.
They are classified as Boko Haram suspects by the officials while investigation continues.
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7 comments
So the terror kingpin was also on his way to Port Harcourt to look for work? What type of work with their very low level of education. Please sequester these people for a long time, in order it enable the rest of us to at least, live a normal existence.
Joe-Boy – You think all the “mai-guard” and those pushing wheelbarrow to sell water, labourers, those selling sweets in traffic and shoe-shiners come from where? These are economic migrants just looking for survival: they cannot farm in their homes again: with the military operations and terrorism. They are human beings like you and I, open your eyes and have a heart! Rivers state police did the same not too long ago: and were embarassed. Have a heart!
Donkwa, have you ever heard of “economic migrants” moving in a convoy of 33 buses? Why did the other buses in the convoy escape on sighting security operatives if they had no evil agenda? There is a clear and definitive plan by these evil forces to invade the south but one thing is sure, evil will never triumph over good. I am of the opinion that they should be tried as jailed if found guilty.
Have a heart? Boy, give me a break. These are terror agents on their way to create their usual mayhem in the South East and South/South. They are not economic migrants and should be sent back to the North to avoid a situation where the aggrieved local,populations take the law into their own hands. To hell with sentiments. The North put the last nail in their political and economic coffin with Boko Haram. The game is over!!!!
If d security forces are so smart? Why re d chibok girls still in captivity.?
The issue of boko haram has become a daily bread for Nigerians, but the almighty father who created heaven and earth will one day make them powerless and whoever is behind it will be captured.
Let’s push sentiment aside & make sure that what we have in our custody are not the same terror group we’re looking for. ACF can join in the screening. Trivialising this issue on the altar of tribalism will be disastrous.