Military Arrests Boko Haram’s Informants, Top Commander’s Wife in North-east

Kingsley Nwezeh

The Nigerian Army has disclosed that its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), have continued to pounce on Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-east.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement issued yesterday, said that some terrorists’ informants were recently arrested.

Iliyasu disclosed that the troops of 159 Battalion deployed at Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State had an encounter with the terrorists on January 19 and neutralised two or the criminals.

He said that several of the insurgents were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds while two AK-47 rifles, five magazines and 45 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered.

The spokesperson also disclosed that the Joint Tactical Team deployed to Borno and Yobe States apprehended a Boko Haram female recruiter (Zainab Usman) at Modu Sulemri area of Abujan Talakawa Ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a wife of Alai Usman, a high profile Islamic State West Africa Province logistics supplier.

According to him, the suspect is believed to be in contact with other high profile Boko Haram/ ISWAP commanders, helping them to recruit young fighters.

“Also, on January 2020, troops of 212 Battalion deployed in Auno, Kaga LGA of Borno State in conjunction with elements of Civilian Joint Task Force arrested one Mallam Ahmed Yakuba, a high profile Islamic State West Africa Province informant at a location south of Auno Village.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was born in Niger Republic, grew up in Sudan and has been in Nigeria for the past 15 years.

“However, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a spy for the Islamic State’s West

Africa Province criminals on a mission to spy on troops’ location in Auno and other locations along the Maiduguri – Damaturu road.

“In another development, on 22 January 2020, troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Gajigana in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno arrested a Boko Haram terrorist, Bukar Sanda in Gajigana Village.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to having left the Village two years ago and joined ISWAP insurgent group where he was trained on weapon handling.

“He further confessed to have returned to the community in order to spy on troops’ location,” he said.