The Nigerian Army on Monday revealed that women recently captured among family members of Boko Haram terrorists were fully involved in acts of terrorism.
Specifically, it was revealed that the women were responsible for indoctrinating new kidnap victims. This is in addition to serving as bankers of the spoils of kidnapping and armed robbery acts of their husbands.
Equally important, the revelation came as the Army handed over 778 family members of Boko Haram terrorists captured in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state to governors of 16 northern states for rehabilitation. Maj.-Gen. Moundhey Ali, Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, handed over the refugees on behalf of Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the command headquarters in Doma, Nasarawa state.
Ali said the Boko Haram terrorists’ family members were captured from Uttu community in Toto LGA of Nasarawa. Furthermore, he stated that they were captured during a recent joint military operation codenamed “Operation Nut Cracker”; noting that this was carried out by the Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, the Nigeria Police Force; as well as the Department of State Service.
He explained that the operation was conducted to clear out Boko Haram terrorists and bandits camps in Ugya, Panda and Uttu forests; as well as contiguous hill in Nasarawa state, as well as Zagana, Makpa, Agbuchi and Barada in Koton Large LGA, Kogi state.
Specifically, the operation directed by the Chief of Army Staff, followed several complaints of killings, kidnapping for ransom; abduction for sex slavery and cattle rustling among others in the region.
He noted that Boko Haram had established camps in Nasarawa and Kogi communites over the years; from where they unleashed mayhem on victims along Okene-Lokoja, Lokoja-Abaji, and Toto-Umaisha roads; adding that they had made social and economic activities in the area almost non-existent. Ali said the feat was a product of seamless cooperation and professional execution based on detailed preparations.
“Therefore, I present to you these captured 778 women and children; family members of Boko Haram terrorists that came from 17 states of the nation who have decided to terrorise this nation.’’
As a matter of fact, the commander listed their states of origin to include Niger, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi and Borno. Others include Adamawa, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Gombe, Kwara and Yobe states and FCT.
He said that items recovered from the destroyed terrorists’ camps include improvised explosive devices; ammunition and materials for producing rockets. He stated that intelligence had proven that the explosives were prepared to cause mayhem in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
However, Ali attributed the success of the operation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; President Muhammadu Buhari, the Service Chiefs as well as the people of the region.
“I must reiterate that, the people of North Central region have proven beyond doubt, that; indeed, even in the 21st century, terrorism can still be defeated when the people reject the terrorist.
“This brings to fire that, once the people reject the terrorist as done by the people of North Central region; the terrorists’ will have nowhere to hibernate. This is a food for thought to our people in the North Eastern and North Western part of our dear country” he said.
Meanwhile, three states governors were present at the handing over ceremony
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa and his Niger state counterpart, Abubakar Bello were represented by their deputies; Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and Ahmed Ketso. Also, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi was represented by his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on security, Doru Jerry.
