The Army says troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested a wanted Boko Haram suspect, Maje Lawan at Banki, Borno State.
According to a statement by Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, yesterday, Lawan was apprehended after he infiltrated into an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the area.
Chukwu, said:”The suspect believed to be number 96 on the wanted list earlier published by the Army was apprehended after he infiltrated into the Internally Displaced Persons camp in the area.
“The suspect is currently undergoing preliminary investigation and will be handed over to the appropriate authority for further action”, the statement said.
“The public is reminded to be vigilance and to report any suspicious person, movements as well as activities to the law enforcement agents for prompt action”, the Nigerian Army advised.
Meanwhile, Chukwu said troops had neutralised two terrorists at Malari village also in Borno during an ambush while others fled into the bush.
He said 10 bicycles were recovered from the terrorists during the encounter.
In a similar development, he said troops had dislodged armed militia from their camp at Gbamjimba-Akor axis in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
He said unspecified number of the armed militia men were neutralised, adding that others escaped into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds.
Chukwu said one AK-47 rifle; two AK-47 rifle magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and five motorcycles were recovered from them.
In another development, 20 bandits terrorising parts of Zamfara State have been killed by Nigerian troops conducting Operation Sharan Daji.
The troops also freed their captives following an ambush at Daban-Doka, an identified route of the bandits.
In a statement, Force Information Officer of the Operation, Col. Muhammad Dole, said “In continuation of the ongoing Operation Sharan Daji, the troops conducted several raids and ambush operations in major identified camps and routes in Maradun, Tsafe and Zurmi Local Goverment Areas of Zamfara State.
“Some bandits escaped with gunshot wounds and several motorcycles were burnt.
“In one of the troops encounter with the bandits, two notorious bandits, Bello Danboko and Sani Maza, were eliminated in Yanwari ward near Yankuzo and Mai Tukunya village near Dansadau all in Zamfara.”
According to him, during recent clearance operation along Mashema, Kwadi, Kalage, Gambiru and Kagara axis, heavy fight ensued between troops and bandits.
However, due to overwhelming military fire power, a reasonable number of bandits were neutralised and their camps were set ablaze.
He said the troops had begun aggressive day and night fighting patrols around Kyaranke and Giwabawa villages in Kanoma District of Maru area, following a tip-off on imposition of N1million levy each on the two villages.
“Another tip-off led to the rescue and recovery of kidnapped victims and the sum of N500, 000 ransom from kidnappers in Subulu forest.”
He also said the troops in their recent exploits, apprehended two notorious bandits, known for terrorising Maradun town and its environs.
He identified the alleged bandits as Muhammad Aminu and another one popularly called Yellow at Tashan Udda in Maradun.
They are undergoing interrogation.
He said some weapons, ammunitions, motorcycles, phones and large herds of cows were recovered.
However, six out of the over 200 persons killed in recent attacks in some villages of Plateau State were given mass burial over the weekend in Shonong district of Riyom LGA of the state amid tight security.
Out of the over 200 killed, 12 were from Shonong district.
While six were among those buried immediately after the incident, the remaining six were preserved for a mass burial to let the world understand their plight.
President of Berom Youth Moulders Association, Choji Dalyop Chuwang, who spoke at the grave side after the six persons were buried, said, “It has become imperative and necessary for us to let the whole world know about the recent attacks and killings in Plateau State were over two hundred people were massacred.
“This act of genocide which also affected Shonong district in particular is condemnable by any right-thinking person.
“We condemn in strong terms the various degrees of the killings in these areas and the destruction of farmlands, properties worth millions of naira.
“It is on this note we want to state categorically and let the whole world know, especially the international community, organisations and spirited individuals of the unpleasant events that have taken place in Shonong district to come to the aid of the community as the entire community has been wipe out and taken over by Fulani militia,” he alleged.
Chuwang said Shonong district is made of eleven villages namely Kujang, Maseh, She, Palleng, Kampwas, Zere, Nanjahai, Kasa, Ninchi, Jekko and Gong, however, because of repeated attacks and killings of innocent people, the district has been destroyed and needs urgent assistance.
“We wish to let the world know that Shonong community has been under siege as the attacks began since 2006.
“The constant attacks have led to the loss of several lives, among them is late Senator Gyang Dantong and property, by these faceless blood thirty individuals.
“This horrific act has led the people to stay in IDP camps as the Fulani militia have taken over their lands.”
Also speaking, Ngo Florence Jambol of the Berom Women Development Association (BEWDA) decried that, “The attackers graze into farm settlement, usurpation of farm animals and produce after sacking the villagers.
“Occupation of some ungrazed and habitable homes, red lining of parts of villages as conquered territories, among others.
“We seek to call on the international community, and the Red Cross to come to our aid as no presence of emergency aid have come to us,” she lamented.
The BEWDA president called on the both the federal and state government to come to the aid of Shonong district and other communities affected, by reconstructing them.
She also called for the provision of adequate security stations in Shonong district and other affected communities.
“Provision of relief materials, rehabilitation of traumatized and peace building efforts be channelled to enhance good living for the victims,” she said.
Jambol demanded justice for the victims through the arrest of the perpetrators and their prosecution, and urged the government to ensure that herdsmen who occupy their land are chased out.