Troops Capture Wanted Boko Haram Commander, 9 Others

The Nigerian Army on Saturday, October 22, said ten Boko Haram key Commanders have been captured by troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole following the bombardment of criminal enclaves in Borno State.

It said the troops also apprehended the terrorists’ logistics suppliers.

One of the arrested suspects, Alhaji Bukar Modu, is number 89 on the high profile Boko Haram leaders wanted list published by the Nigerian Army.

The names of the ten arrested suspects were given as ShettimaMustapha Umar, Abba Buji, Alhaji Bukar Madu-(KAHID – a Boko Haram Terrorists’ equivalent of a Brigadier General), Ali Hassan (Boko Haram Terrorist Imam), Alkali Laminu, Bukur Mustapha, Buba Umaru (Alias Black Uhuru), Madu Nosobe, Mustapha Hussaine and Umar Jeddum all from Bama LGA of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement made available to journalists, said, “as Nigerian Army continues to heighten the tempo of her operational activities against bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements nationwide, the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have stepped up artillery bombardment of identified Boko Haram criminals’ enclaves and hideouts.

“Troops have equally stepped up the effective blockade of their logistics supply routes and the arrest of some of their key logistics suppliers with devastating outcomes on the criminal insurgent group.

“For instance, during a successful sting operation conducted on 9 October 2019 by troops of the 26Task Force Brigade, 10 suspected key Boko Haram members were reportedly captured while attempting to sneak into some communities around Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State in a bid to escape the troops’ sustained onslaught against them.

” Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested criminals are ranked higher than the Amir in the criminals’ hierarchy.

“Many of them have been identified to have operated combat vehicles during the infamous Boko Haram attack on Gwoza in 2014.

“Similarly, in 1 Division Area of Responsibility, troops of 1 Division Garrison Tactical Headquarters responded to a reported cattle rustling incident.

” Acting on reliable information from the locals, the troops intercepted the suspected criminals along with the rustled animals while attempting to cross Polewire Labi, a community in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.

“On sighting the approaching troops however, the criminal bandits abandoned the 23 rustled cows and fled into the forest. Consequently, the animals were recovered by the troops while efforts are on to identify their owners for eventual release to them.

“The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Birniwa Command while troops maintain vigilance in the area to forestall any escalation.

“In another development, troops of 4 Brigade operating under the aegis of operation MESA smashed a notorious armed robbery gang that have been terrorizing commuters along a major road at Owa Community in Uhunmwaede LGA of Edo State.

“One of the suspects, Mr Evans Obidili Ubaka was promptly arrested while other gang members fled. However, concerted efforts are on to track and arrest the fleeing criminals”.