Military Nabs Another Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist
Burutai urges troops to be focused with final push
The Nigerian military in sustenance of the breakthrough it made on Sunday, has nabbed another Boko Haram member from the list of 100 suspects whose pictures were recently displayed by the army authorities.
The arrest came as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday called on troops to remain focused in the task of giving the terrorist sect a final push into extinction.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, disclosed this yesterday in a statement, saying the suspect was apprehended at a security check point in Adamawa State.
“As all hands are on deck to finally defeat Boko Haram terrorists in our country, today (yesterday) in the morning, another wanted Boko Haram terrorist, Ishaku Wardifen, was nabbed by vigilant troops of 23 Brigade Special Battalion at a check point in Maiha, Adamawa State,” Usman said.
He noted that preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspected terrorist was a Camerounian citizen.
According to him, “visual matching with photographs on the poster of the 100 wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists list released by the Nigerian (Army) last month, shows that he clearly resembles the suspect on serial number 22 on the list.”
The army spokesman said the suspect has been handed over to military intelligence for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Usman also used the opportunity to “call on all citizens and all well meaning residents of our country to continue to be more vigilant and security conscious to enable us rid our great nation of the menace of terrorism and insurgency.”
Recall that the Nigerian Army, in response to THISDAY enquiries on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of one of the 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“The declaration of 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists has started to pay the desired dividend as one of them was arrested as he attempted to flee.
“Today at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, a man suspected to be one of the declared wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Chindo Bello was apprehended by aviation Security as he was boarding Aero Contractors’ Airline flight to Lagos. The suspect has since been handed over to the military intelligence for interrogation and prosecution,” Usman said in a statement.
He commended those he described as eagle-eyed and patriotic security agents and good citizens for the tip off that led to the arrest of the suspect.
Meanwhile, Buratai said they should not allow any distraction, insisting that their welfare should not be a barrier to giving their best to their nation as efforts had reached advance level to see that all owed allowances are paid.
The COAS made the declaration during a visit to the frontline unit of 113 Task Battalion Gubio in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
He commended the troops for the successes recorded so far and urged them to maintain the tempo.
Buratai said: “You have done well and you must maintain the tempo. You must be on the offensive and waste no time in giving a final push in ending Boko Haram.”
The COAS who was accompanied to Gubio by Maj. Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole and other principal officers from army headquarters, assured the troops that the army headquarters was concerned about their welfare.
He said: “The issue of your allowances and salaries is been sorted out, there is no cause for alarm,” admitting that: “There may be a little delay, but everything is being sorted out.”
Also yesterday, Buratai visited the advancing 118 Task Force Battalion advancing towards Damasak, a major border town linking Nigeria and Niger Republic with the intention of liberating it from the sect.
During his visit, he gave motivational talk to the troops and monitored their progress up to Kareto town which is about 13 kilometres to the main target.
Buratai interacted with the battalion and instructed the troops to be offensive.
He said: “You have to be offensive as you advance.”