Military arrests five terror suspects, rescues children in Borno

TROOPS of 115 Task Force Battalion under 7 Brigade of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have arrested five Boko Haram terrorist suspects after clearing several landmines and explosives on New Marte-Dogongida-Kerenowa Road in Borno State.

The Media Co-ordinator of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Tukur Gusau, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday to newsmen in Maiduguri.

The statement read in part: “The 5 Brigade Nigerian Army after clearing Boko Haram terrorist camps in Kerenowa has also embarked on clearance of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried along the road that links New Marte-Dogongida-Kerenowa in Borno State.”

The troops, according to him, have also been working tirelessly to destroy all IEDs making facilities found in the area.

On how the suspects were arrested, he said: “In a related development, troops of 115 Task Force Battalion under 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) while on clearance patrol along Kukawa and Gudunbali in Baga Local Council of Borno State arrested five fleeing suspected Boko Haram terrorists and family members of a Boko Haram terror who fled and abandon them due to military offensive.

“The family includes a woman and 4 children. The rescued families are currently being catered for and investigated in a military facility.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has urged troops of the 113 Task Force Battalion in the “frontline battle fields” of Gubio Local Council of Borno State to remain focus, as they give a final push to end Boko Haram terrorism in the North-East sub-region of the country.

Buratai, who charged the troops when he visited the frontline military unit of the 113 Task Battalion at Gubio town, 87 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, commended the troops for the successes they had already recorded so far; and urged them to maintain the tempo until the fight against Boko Haram was made to the finish by December this year.

His words: “You have done well and you must maintain the tempo against insurgency. You must be on the offensive and waste no time in giving a final push in ending Boko Haram attacks and insurgency not only in Borno State, but the entire North-East sub-region of the country, Nigeria,”

He also assured the troops that the army headquarters was concerned about their welfare, adding: “The issue of your allowances and salaries is being sorted out, there is no cause for alarm.”

Buratai however noted: “There may be a little delay, but everything is being sorted out to meet the President’s December deadline to end this Boko Haram insurgency in this country, Nigeria.”

The COAS, who also visited the advancing 118 Task Force battalion proceeding to capture Damasak, a major border town with Niger Republic, assessed and monitored the progress of the task force up to Kareto village which is about 13 kilometres to the main targeted captured border town. He also interacted with troops of the battalion where he urged them to be offensive to end this insurgency that has claimed many lives and property.

“You have to be offensive and as you advance,” charged Buratai at Gubio town.

Besides, Buratai, who also visited the location of the newly-formed 23 Task Force Brigade with Tactical Headquarters at Jakana Village in Kaga Local Council of Borno State, participated in a night operation with the troops of 23 Task Force Brigade along the Jakana-Gubio axis before returning to base in the state.