Troops kill B’haram’s spiritual commander in Borno

• El- Rufai decries Ansaru, other terrorists’ invasion of Kaduna • Kidnappers release don, retain daughter, driver

DEFENCE Headquarters ( DHQ) has announced the killing of terrorists’ spiritual head of Gaita, Mallam Shehu, by troops of Operation Hadin Kai ( OPHK).

Some of the Amir’s foot soldiers were also neutralised during the troops’ clearance operation at terrorists’ Jaje enclaves in Mango Ali, Dissa, Balangaje of Borno State.

The Director, Defence Media Operations ( DMO), Maj- Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the activities and operational successes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria ( AFN) and other security agencies as recorded in all the theatres of operation across the country between April 28 and May 19, 2022.

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OVERNOR Nasir el- Rufai of Kaduna State has confirmed the presence of the deadly Ansaru, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the state.

The governor said, yesterday, the rising presence of Ansaru and Boko Haram terrorists in the state as well as their interaction with armed bandits was responsible for the attack on the Abujabound train on March 28, 2022 in which passengers were kidnapped.

According to El- Rufai, the terrorists were moving from the North East to the North West and recruiting young people from vulnerable communities across Kaduna.

He was speaking during the state’s security council meeting, where he received the quarterly security report by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Expressing concern over the use of mines and Improvised Explosive Devices ( IED) by terrorists, he called for the establishment of a military theatre command in the South West region.

The governor disclosed that the terrorists were saying that Kaduna forests were better than Sambisa forest, from where they relocated. This he got from his classmate, who was among the train kidnap victims that had been released.

He added that the Ansaru and Boko Haram terrorists were re- emerging in BirninGwari Emirate, a development that may not augur well for the continued peace and security of the state.

If the security situation is not adequately addressed in the volatile council areas, unscrupulous politicians can capitalise on the situation and disrupt the 2023 elections.

Aruwan reported that at least 360 people were killed through violent crimes and 1,389 kidnapped between January and March 2022, adding that Kaduna Central was the worst hit.