Nigerian, Nigerien Forces Foil Planned Boko Haram Attack
Security agents in Nigeria and Niger Republic have thwarted plots by
the outlawed terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, to carry out attacks on
some Nigerian communities.
The security agents of the two countries
through joint intelligence sharing and military cooperation, had
discovered that members of the sect, who had been dislodged from their
enclaves in the North-east because of the ongoing military expedition in
the area, had fled to Niger Republic and were regrouping for
counter-offensive.
However, their plots were uncovered before they could carry out the attacks on their targets.
Director
of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said thursday
in Abuja, that the sect had recruited more hands with which they had
planned to launch the attacks on some communities in the northern
states.
"The security agents also arrested some insurgents, including a top Boko Haram commander," he added.
This is coming as the Nigerian troops that returned from the Malian
operations have arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, to boost the
operation of the special forces engaged in the enforcement of state of
emergency rule in the state.
Olukolade said: "The plan by a band of
terrorists who relocated to Niger Republic to remobilise and rearm
insurgents with the aim of carrying out fresh terrorist attacks on some
Nigerian communities has been foiled.
"The leader of the group who
had fled Nigeria when the terrorist camps were sacked was reportedly
recruiting fresh hands and training them for renewed terrorist
activities in Nigeria".
He added that the intention of the group was to attack some towns around the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.
According to him, intelligence operatives of the Multi-national
Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had been on the trail of the leader until his
arrest in Karanga, Niger Republic, on Saturday with the cooperation of
Nigerien forces.
"His other accomplices were later picked up in other villages in Nigeria. They are currently being interrogated", he said.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources have warned that the end of bombings might not be in sight.
This is just as a security expert and President of the Association of
Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona
Ekhomu, noted that the bombings in Kano showed that the Boko Haram
threat was grave.
The sources said residents of some northern
states should be warned to keep off viewing centres, drinking joints
and most importantly, crowded ceremonies that would likely be targeted
by the terrorists.
One of the sources said states such as Niger,
Plateau, Kano, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno have allegedly been earmarked
for bombings by the sect.
The source added that intelligence gathering by operatives also
uncovered a plot by the sect to bomb crowded places, hence the warning
for people to exercise caution and keep off such areas.
He said
although security operatives were a step ahead of the insurgents, it
would be wise if the residents were more security conscious by avoiding
such likely targets.
He added that it was through such accurate
intelligence gathering that the military was able to round up 42 Boko
Haram members, who had migrated to both Lagos and Ogun States from the
north.
He said: "We are on top of the situation and for security
measures, we cannot disclose the modus operandi we have put in place to
checkmate the threat to avoid tipping off the terrorists.
"But whilst we are doing our job, it would go a long way to help us
work if citizens are more conscious of their environment. We are in
unfriendly times and so all must be on guard to fight this people
together."
However, Ekhomu has raised fears that the displacement of
the sect members from the North due to strong enforcement measures in
the area would only force them to migrate elsewhere.
Speaking against
the backdrop of the 42 suspected terrorists arrested in Lagos and
Ogun States, he urged Nigerians to be vigilant in order to prevent
future terrorist attacks.
In a related development, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State
yesterday alerted the public to the likelihood of the insurgents
attacking the state during the Eid- el- Fitri celebration.
The task
force in a statement by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said: "In
the continued efforts to destroy all acts of terrorism in Borno State,
the Joint Task Force (JTF) wishes to alert citizens and residents of the
state of the impending plans by Boko Haram terrorists to carry out
massive attacks and bombings in Maiduguri metropolis and other parts of
Borno State any moment from now and during the Eid-el-Fitr Sallah
celebration."
He urged residents of the state to be security conscious and report any suspicious person or item to security agents.
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