Sixty-Four Suspected Boko Haram Members Arrested

The troops that operate in Zamfara, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano and Kaduna states have extended their activities to Niger and Kogi.
About sixty-four suspected terrorists have been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigations.

During the military operations, 7119 cattle, sheep and goats were also recovered from rustlers who have been terrorizing people in the zone. 

According to a statement made by Colonel Usman Abdul, the deputy director, army public relations of the 1 division headquarters in Kaduna, the operations were carried out by combined team of Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and customs personnel. 

“In Kaduna state and its immediate environs, the expanded security outfit involved in the operation have made recovery of 2081 animals like cattle, sheep and goats. 27 suspects were arrested and lots of weapons of different calibres were recovered from the bandits.

“In the axis of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states over 3027 animals which included cattles, goats and sheep were recovered. 33 suspected bandits were arrested with 11 weapons seized in the course of the operation. All the suspects were handed over to Zamfara DSS and the police command while the animals were handed over to Zamfara state government officials. 

“In the area covering Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states , the joint operation recovered a total of 2011 animals, 4 suspects arrested and 10 bandits were killed during encounters and 8 assorted weapons recovered. 

“Arrested suspects were handed over to Katsina police command, while animals recovered were handed over to Katsina state government officials,” the statement read. 

Colonel Abdul stressed that the Nigeria Army and other security agencies managed to reduce and subdue activities of bandits and insurgents in the area. He added that after successful military operations confidence has been restored to the local people and they resumed their normal lives.

Meanwhile, the troops operating in Faskari and Safana areas of Katsina state have recorded remarkable success in the effort to end cattle-rustling.

According to a statement issued by Captain Ikechukwu Stephen Eze, assistant director of army public relations, 11 of the most notorious cattle rustlers have been killed, while many others escaped with injuries. Apart from this, the troops arrested 39 armed bandits and handed over to the police.

Captain Eze added that during the operation 157 cows, 140 sheep, 19 goats and 6 donkeys were recovered and handed over to the chairman of the Katsina State Standing Committee on Farmers and Herdsmen.

After a number of successful operations, the Defence Headquarters announced that the troops have destroyed all known Boko Haram terrorists’ camps and cells within the troubled region. 

Colonel Rabe Abubakar, the director of defence information, noted that the progress made by the Army was as a result of new strategies adopted by the new service chiefs, which includes constant morale boosting and visit to the troops on the front line.