The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed yesterday the arrest of Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau’s in-laws.
The raid in which the in-laws were arrested resulted in the recovery of some recorded audio messages of the insurgents, the DHQ said.
Also, the DHQ said a recent encounter with the terrorists led to the death of Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, one of the kingpins on the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s) wanted list.
It also confirmed that 58 detainees linked with Boko Haram insurgents had been released in Borno and Yobe states.
DHQ spokesman Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made the disclosures at a briefing by the Joint Security Committee in Abuja, said the Special Forces in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states were not on any vengeance mission but purely on a mission to restore law and order.
Gen. Olukolade said: “Troops on cordon and search operations in Bulabulin area in Maiduguri last week discovered a vast network of underground tunnels connecting houses and many bunkers, some which have the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons.
“More corpses were also discovered in soak-away. Various weapons were also discovered in the same area.
“Abubakar Shekau’s parents’ in-law were picked up in the raid which also discovered various audio recordings of terrorists’ messages. Recoveries are made almost on daily basis as the operation progresses.
“The media have had opportunity to inspect some of the items recovered from the camps. The recoveries, among others, include: eight AK47 assault rifles, one G3 rifle, nine AK47 magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, five Rocket Propelled Grenade, three FMC magazine, one G3 magazines, 14 IEDs and 166 rounds of 7.62mm Special.
Others are 3 35mm Bazooka; 34 rounds of 5.56mm, 1,740 rounds of 303 inch, 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO, one round of .50mm, one dane gun, one locally made pistol and two mega phones.
“In keeping with presidential directives, a total of 58 detainees linked with Boko Haram insurgents have been released in Borno and Yobe states.
“These comprised 23 women and 35 children. Some of the teenagers confessed that they were conscripted to run errand for the terrorists who paid them paltry N5,000 to monitor troops and set public buildings ablaze. The women and children were handed over to the governors of Borno and Yobe states for onward rehabilitation and reintegration.”
The Defence spokesman confirmed the death of a key leader of Boko Haram in Maiduguri.
He said: “The mandate of Mr. President to the forces involves the destruction of all terrorist camps/bases, apprehension of perpetrators and bringing them to justice. This mandate has been substantially achieved with destruction of terrorists’ stronghold and bases. In the process, many captives of the terrorists especially women and children, were freed from the camps as their captors fled in disarray.
“A recent encounter in the terrorists main enclaves in Bulabulin Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja in Maiduguri metropolis led to the death of Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, one of the kingpins on the JTF wanted list. Many women and minors were rescued and handed over to their families by the JTF.
“A number of terrorists have been apprehended by the Special Forces. Many of them have also died in battle with the forces. Various resources, including trained military police dogs facilitated the arrest of insurgents who try to infiltrate the cities after being dislodged from their bases at the outset of the operation.
“Cordon and Search Operations have started enjoying tremendous cooperation of locals. Several terrorists, including their foreign members, are being tracked down. Key terrorists, especially those in the cadre of Amir as well as those helping in their renewed mobilisation and recruitment of minors are being hunted.”
Olukolade insisted that the Special Operation had reduced the spate of bombings nationwide.
He added: “Notwithstanding the sporadic asymmetric attacks on certain soft targets, you would have noticed a drastic reduction in bombings and attacks on places outside the North-East epicenter of the terrorists. The improved security situation as indicated in general assessment has resulted in the ongoing phased restoration of telecommunication services in the states where it had to be withdrawn at the beginning of operation. Hence, Adamawa State now has telecommunication services fully restored.
“Highlight of developments on this operation will be discussed subsequently, but we must note that apart from the ongoing operations in the Northeast, there are other joint operations by the security agencies in other parts of the country.
“These include the efforts to check the activities of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, restoration of peace in the Plateau as well as tackling armed banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes confronting our country. Let us look at the achievements and developments at these other on-going operations.”
The Defence spokesman said the Special Forces had complied with the rule of engagement and they are now enjoying much cooperation from the civilian populace.
He said: “As relative peace gradually returns to the affected states, peace and confidence building mechanism have been put in place to consolidate on the modest achievement.
“One of the gains of the confidence building process is that civilian populace are now not only willing to volunteer information on suspected individuals in their vicinity but are prepared to get physically involved in apprehending them. Defence Headquarters Assessment teams who visited the states observed increased commercial activities as banks, markets and other public places have been opened and in business.
“The forces in this operation are quite conversant with the rules of engagement. Constant monitoring is ongoing to ensure there is no violation and where there is, to instantly investigate and punish perpetrators.
“Nigerians and our friends abroad must realise that the security operations were necessitated by the need to secure and restore the rights of Nigerian citizens who were being abused by the activities of terrorists.
“The terrorists have not only violated Nigeria’s sovereignty, they have committed mindless atrocities against citizens and there is no way such abuse, lawlessness and hate ideology could be encouraged or allowed to continue.
“While the forces will remain accountable, the prying eyes of various activists should equally focus on the unending and condemnable atrocities of terrorists rather than desperately trying to play to the gallery by seeking evidence to indict the forces of non-existent human rights abuses. The forces are not on any revenge mission but purely on a mission to restore law and order.”
Although Olukolade praised the press for its understanding, he faulted some foreign reports on the Special Operation.
SOURCE: 16 July 2013.
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