Staying true to their words on continuing their clampdown on terrorists despite the purported ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, until the Federal Government directs otherwise, operatives of the Joint Task Force have arrested in-laws of the Boko Haram leader, Sheik Abubakar Shekau.
Disclosing this at a press briefing by the Joint Security Services Public Information Committee in Abuja on Monday, Defence Spokesman, Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade said, they were arrested during a cordon and search operation in Bulabulin area of Maiduguri last week, although he did not give the names of Shekau’s in-laws.
Apart from more corpses found in a soak-away in the area, underground tunnels and bunkers as well as high calibre weapons were discovered by the operatives.
“Troops on cordon and search operations in Bulabulin area in Maiduguri last week discovered a vast network of underground tunnels connecting houses and many bunkers some which have the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons.
“More corpses were also discovered in a soak-away. Various weapons were found in the same area. Abubakar Shekau’s in-laws were picked up in the raid in which various audio recordings of terrorists messages were also discovered.
“Recovery is made almost on a daily basis as the operation progresses. The recovery, among others, include eight AK-47 assault rifles, one G-3 rifle, nine AK-47 magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, and five Rocket Propelled Grenade.
“Three FMC magazine, one G3 magazine, 14 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and 166 rounds of 7.62mm Special had also been recovered. Others are, three 35mm Bazooka; 34 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 1,740 rounds of 303 inch, 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO, one round of .50mm, one dane gun, one locally-made pistol and two megaphones.”
Olukolade also stated that one of the top commanders of Boko Haram believed to be the Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, was killed in one of the raids in Bulabulin, Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja areas of Maiduguri.
He added that the reduction in the spate of bombings in places outside the North- East indicated clearly that security operatives were winning the war against terrorism in spite of the attacks by the sect on soft targets.
He explained that the improved security situation was responsible for the decision to ensure a phased restoration of telecommunications services in states under emergency rule starting with Adamawa.
Olukolade pointed out that the cordon and search operations were largely successful due to the cooperation of indigenes of the area and trained dogs used to aid the efforts.
“A number of terrorists have been apprehended by the Special Forces. Many of them have also died in battle with the forces. Various resources, including trained military police dogs facilitated the arrest of insurgents who tried to infiltrate the cities after being dislodged from their bases at the outset of the operations.
“Cordon and Search Operations have started enjoying tremendous cooperation of locals. Several terrorists, including their foreign members are being tracked down. Key terrorists, especially those in the cadre of Amir as well as those helping in their renewed mobilisation and recruitment of minors are being hunted.”
