Terror threat: Army at alert in South-West

By Our Reporter on November 16, 2015 COVER

• We’re monitoring situation with all seriousness –DHQ

By Job Osazuwa

THE Nigeria Army has as­sured residents of South West that there is no cause for alarm over rumoured threats of terror attack by Boko Haram.

Acting Director of De­fence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar asked resi­dents not to lose sleep as the military and other security agencies are monitoring the situation with all serious­ness.

Abubakar, in a statement yesterday, insisted coordi­nated attacks on Boko Ha­ram by the military has left the sect weakened and in­capable of carrying out any attack, either in the South- West or in any part of the country.

“While the military and other security agencies have made tremendous successes in degrading and decimat­ing the terrorists who are now in disarray having lost their centre of gravity, camps and their source of logistics, it would be un­thinkable to raise these un­founded rumours of Boko Haram terrorists planning attack in not only in the West but any other part of the country for that matter.

“The coordination and synergy between the mili­tary and other security ser­vices which led to the arrest of some ringleaders of the terrorists in some states is instructive to their incapa­bility to wage any coordi­nated attack.

“However, the general public are requested to al­ways be wary of suspicious individuals or groups in their localities and to report such to security agencies for prompt action as this war is Nigeria versus Boko Haram terrorists hence, requires collective contribution of all Nigerians for timely ending of this terrorism.

“The Armed Forces is us­ing this medium to appeal to the good citizens of Nigeria particularly in the western part of the country not to lose sleep over the unfound­ed and fictitious reports and to go about their normal and legitimate businesses as the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies are monitoring the situation with all seriousness.”

Less than three weeks after Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General. Tukur Bura­tai released the names and pictures of 100 terrorists and declared them wanted, eagle-eyed security men apprehended Chindi Bello, who was on the list, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Interna­tional Airport in Abuja.

Chindi was arrested as he attempted to board an Aero Contractor plane heading for Lagos.

In a related development, on June 25, 2014, between 20 and 50 suspected Boko Haram members were ap­prehended at Obollo Afor, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Security operatives alleg­edly recovered bags with army uniforms, some weap­ons and other items.

Similarly, between July 21 and July 23 this year, a detachment of 81 Divi­sion of the Army arrested 42 suspected Boko Haram suspects in various parts of Lagos and Ogun States.

Since Buratai released the pictures of the suspected ter­rorists on October 27, three have so far been arrested.