Troops of the 195 Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested seven Boko Haram logistics suppliers and kidnappers on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. It was learnt that the suspects were arrested along the Maiduguri/Mafa axis yesterday.
The suspects included Hadiza Ali, Kelo Abba, Mariam Aji, Kamsilum Ali, Ngubdo Modu and Abiso Lawan. A security source said the troops became suspicious when a large quantity of garri concealed in gallons and hidden beneath the vehicles was discovered.
“During the search, different items including large quantities of fuel, mosquito nets and noodles, among others were recovered.
“Upon systematic interrogation, the females confessed to being Boko Haram members operating within Muna Garage IDP Camp, Mafa and Dikwa with their fighters’ camp at Boboshe and Gulumba Riverline in Dikwa LGA.
“They revealed that the garri was packed in the gallons in order to beat checkpoints and also to help preserve it against rain,” he said, adding that the garri and other items were to be buried at their agreed exchange points where the fighters were to dig them out.
“They also admitted to giving tips to fighters on kidnapping targets based on the valuation of individuals, sometimes based on the number of cows owned or the size of farms,” the suspects said.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad also confirmed the report.
“They (suspects) also informed troops that they were given money ranging from N20,000 to N50, 000 for each trip and they go for about two to three trips a day depending on the activities of soldiers.
“Following this information, troops immediately embarked on a follow-up operation to the Boko Haram camp and contact was made around Gaza where one Boko Haram fighter was neutralised,” he said.
He added that the troops also rescued five kidnapped people and recovered one burnt truck.
