JTF Nabs Six Boko Haram Leaders …2 Brigade Now Heads JTF Sector 2

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO) said in Maiduguri yesterday that it had arrested six prominent individuals suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

The JTF Field Commander, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, told newsmen that the arrest was part of the team’s renewed efforts toward cracking down on members of the sect.

He said, “we have continued to record breakthroughs in our effort to ensure the return of peace in Maiduguri.

“Consequently, we have arrested six high profile suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.”

Ebhaleme said that the JTF was leaving no stone unturned in its quest to put an end to the activities of the sect.

“I will like to state that part of the successes recorded had to do with the current curfew imposed by the JTF in Jere and Maiduguri metropolis.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to adhere strictly to the curfew as violators will have themselves to blame.”

The JTF boss also said that the team on Tuesday detonated a number of unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices, (IEDs) planted at Kailari near the London-ciki area in Maiduguri.

“We have just detonated some IEDs uncovered at Kailari. We have been doing this for some time.

“It is sad that the IEDs were planted near residential houses, which means that the impact would have been disastrous if they had exploded.”

He urged residents to be vigilant to prevent suspected Boko Haram sect members from planting IEDs near their homes, adding that “people who allow IEDs to be planted near their homes would be treated as collaborators.

“Therefore, a word is enough for the wise.”

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the operation of sector 2 of the restructured Joint Military Task Force (JTF) is now under the supervision of the brigade.

Sector 2 of the task force comprises Rivers and Bayelsa States with Brig.-Gen. Buratai as its commander.

Our correspondent reports that the Defence Headquarters on January 9 announced the restructuring of the JTF to cover the nine oil producing states and renamed its code from Operation Restore Hope to Operation Pulo Shield.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the hand-over ceremony, Buratai said that the brigade had been given the added responsibility of overseeing Rivers and Bayelsa States.

“The JTF, operation restore hope, has been transmuted from that name Restore Hope to now Pulo Shield, operation pulo shield.

“And this brigade is given that added responsibility of conducting that operation in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

“All the troops that were hitherto with the JTF in that location, that is operation restore hope , we have two sectors, sector two and sector three, they are now under the 2 brigade here in Port Harcourt.”

The brigade commander said the restructured task force was mandated to protect oil facilities, check pipeline vandalism, piracy and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.

“I want to assure you that we are going to be more committed in carrying out this assignment.”

Buratai said the task given to operation restore hope had been met and that the new operation Pulo Shield would ensure full protection of oil facilities and installations in the area.

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, presenting the 2011 President's NYSC Award to the best candidate (Merit Category), Chinaeke Ejike, in Abuja on Monday. With him are President Goodluck Jonathan and others.