12 suspected terrorists held in Kwara
The Nigerian Army has arrested no fewer than 12 breakaway Boko Haram insurgents known as Mahmuda.
The group recently occupied the Kanji Lake National Park.
The group had allegedly maimed, exploited, terrorised and took advantage of residents of neighbouring border communities in Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara and Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj.-Gen Obinna Onubogu said this on Saturday during a visit to have first-hand information about how the officers and men are faring as well as get updates on the operation.
The GOC said the suspects were picked up by the military at various locations in its raid of the Kanji Lake National Park and border communities.
Two of those arrested were said to be confirmed members of the arm bandit group while others are to be accomplices in the criminal act, he said.
“The counter insurgency operation code named ‘Park Strike Four’ is meant to among other things flush out the bandits and clear the Kanji lake national park of all criminal tendencies”, he added.
The GOC told reporters in his team that the men and officers deployed in the operation were not resting on their oars to restore sanity at the park and raise the hope of the people around the area.
He said the troops combed a distance of at least 90 kilometres from Kemanji into the Kanji forest where it is based.
During his trip, the GOC, who said the mission was being accomplished added that “both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements.”
Gen Onubogu also visited the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and Head of Kemanji Community known as Shao’ki, Aliyu Siki-Muhamme,d where he raised the hope of the people.
The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, following the orders of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, deployed troops to the affected areas.
