JTF Raids Boko Haram Hideout Impounds Explosives, 5,207 Ammunition

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State, yesterday said it recovered 5,207 rounds of assorted ammunition buried in a hideout in Kandahar area of Damaturu.

JTF spokesman, Lt. Lazarus Eli, said in a release in Damaturu that the items were recovered on Monday during a search operation in the area.

He said two pistols, a rifle, three hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices were also recovered during the operation. “The ammunition were lubricated to avoid rust, concealed in plastic cans and buried,” he said.

The spokesperson urged members of the public to report suspicious persons and materials in their areas and restated the determination of the force to provide security to the people of the state.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has expressed concern over the insecurity in the country and called for concerted efforts to solve the problem.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chairman of the forum told newsmen that the issue of security was of greater concern to the forum.

Amaechi said though the deliberation was not conclusive, issues of national interest which included devolution of powers, revenue allocation and local government autonomy were discussed.

He said that the issue of Land Use Act and National Youth Security Scheme were also discussed.

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State said that strategy for combating security issues should be a concerted effort that required cooperation and commitment of all Nigerians.

“Government cannot do it all alone, we are all stakeholders in the security issue. This forum is committed to arrest the dangerous security situation in the country and we are getting to that shortly,” he said.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that there were divergent opinions on the creation of state police as it affected the national security.

Okorocha said some believed that creation of state police was not necessary, based on the premise that some politicians might hijack it for their selfish reasons.

He said that some of his colleagues believed that the establishment of state police had become imperative to enhance national security.

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State expressed the hope that the forum would reach a conclusion on all the issues that were germane to move the country forward before the end of the meeting.