‘How we found Boko Haram members in Lagos, Ogun’

The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obi Umahi, yesterday said there was a presence of suspected members of Boko Haram in Lagos and Ogun States.

Umahi said this while addressing journalists after handing over leadership of the Command to his successor, Major General Tamuno Dibi, who assumed duty yesterday.

He said the reality of the presence of Boko Haram members had manifested with the arrest of 12 suspected members and recovery of arms and ammunition from them, but added that the military could as well handle worse scenarios.

“The reality did not dawn on us until we made the first arrest. So our alert level was raised, even though we were trained to deal with worse scenarios. We spread our drag net to get as many as possible that were living within our area of responsibility. We were able to mop them up. Our area of responsibility which includes Lagos and Ogun States is now safer than I met it.

“After the screening of the suspects by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) some of them were allowed to go while others were charged to court with 14 AK47 assault rifles and various types of IEDs and ammunition,” he said.

He said the arrest followed the apprehension of 42 other members of the group in Lagos and Ogun States. “These suspects were also profiled, screened and are awaiting trial in court,” he said.

General Umahi said his most challenging moment was when he realised that they were already living with suspected Boko Haram members and advised the incoming GOC not to lower his alert level at any time.