DHQ: Military to Prevent Boko Haram Involvement in Herdsmen Killings

  •  Army confirms arrest of key Boko Haram suspect, parades three others

Paul Obi in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi

Following the arrest of a Boko Haram Commander by troops in the recent herdsmen killings in Benue State, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the military is working hard to ensure that Boko Haram insurgents do not pose as herdsmen and engage in killings around the country.

Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim told THISDAY that though the DHQ would not reveal its strategies, but efforts are in top gear to prevent Boko Haram terrorists from proliferating around the country and camouflaging as herdsmen and perpetuating heinous crimes.

He said the strategy is to prevent terrorists from hiding under the cover of herdsmen was ongoing, adding that, “the military cannot disclose its strategy. You will be seeing the result of our work rather than revealing our strategy.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) weekend bombed Boko Haram terrorists’ logistics base in Borno State.

According to the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, “the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole in the early hours of 27 April, 2018, successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) logistics base at Tumbum Gini in the northern axis of Borno.

“A Nigerien Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft conducted the Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) for the mission.

“The BDA revealed that the first wave of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft strike on the location totally destroyed the vehicles and other logistics items at the place; thereby further degrading the terrorists’ capabilities.
“Furthermore, at the end of the attack, the entire BHT location was engulfed in fire and all the terrorists in the location were neutralised”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Commandant, Nigerian Army 72 Special Forces Battalion, Makurdi, Lieutenant Col. Suleiman Mohammed has confirmed the arrest of Aminu Yaminu, nicknamed as Tashaku who is believed to be a key Boko Haram suspect and who has masterminded most of the recent attacks in Benue State.

Mohammed who made the confirmation yesterday at the 72 Barrack in Makurdi while parading three herdsmen militias arrested by his troops with weapons at Tormatar village in Guma local government area of Benue state.

He said the arrest of the key Boko Haram suspect was carried out by the combined troops of the 707 Special Forces Brigade, the Police and DSS, adding that he is under their custody for investigation.

On the arrest of the militia herdsmen, Mohammed said his troops following intelligence information encountered the suspected militia herdsmen at their camp located close to Tormatar village of the Guma local council area.

He explained that the armed militia which engaged the troops in a gun battle, were consequently dislodged and three of them were arrested and two AK 47 rifles with 6 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition recovered from them as well as some charms.
The arrested militia were identified as Abubakar Umaru, Adamu Likita and Yusufa Alhaja.

The commandant further vowed that the Nigerian Army would not rest on its oars in bringing peace in the country, and warned militia herders as well as any other criminals to stay clear of the state.

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