At least 12 terrorists have been arrested by the Nigerian Army in connection with alleged acts of terrorism carried out by a breakaway faction of the Boko Haram insurgents known as ‘Mahmuda,’ which has reportedly occupied the Kainji Lake National Park.
The group had, before now, allegedly maimed, killed, exploited, terrorised, and taken advantage of residents of neighbouring border communities in the Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State, as well as the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The General Officer Commanding, GOC 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu, who recently visited the camps in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State, disclosed this on Saturday during a visit aimed at acquiring firsthand information on how the officers and men are faring, as well as to receive updates on ongoing operations.
The GOC revealed that the 12 suspects arrested were picked up by the military at various locations during its raid of the Kainji Lake National Park and the border communities.
Two of those arrested were said to be confirmed members of the armed bandit group, while others are alleged accomplices in the criminal acts, he said.
“The counterinsurgency operation code-named ‘Park Strike Four’ is meant to, among other things, flush out the bandits and clear the Kainji Lake National Park of all criminal tendencies,” he added.
The GOC disclosed to journalists in his team that the officers and men deployed for the operation are not resting on their oars in their bid to restore sanity to the park and rekindle the hopes of the local population.
He said, “Through the raid operations, the troops have successfully combed a distance of at least 90 kilometres from Kemanji into the Kanji forest where its firm base is currently situated.”
During his trip, the GOC, who said the mission is already being accomplished, added that “both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements.”
After interacting with the troops, General Onubogu also visited the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and the Head of the Kemanji Community, known as Shao’ki, Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, where he raised the hopes of the locals, boosted their morale, and restored their confidence.
DAILY POST recalls that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, had given the troops a one-month marching order to flush out the bandits.
The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, acting on the orders of Lt. Gen. Oluyede, has since deployed troops to comb the border communities in Kwara and Niger states, as well as the Kanji Lake forest, in pursuit of the wanted elements waging arms against innocent Nigerian citizens.
