Sani Onogu and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja
THE battle against Ansaru terrorists by the police has yielded more success with the arrest of three more members of the group following sustained mop-up operations.
The police last week raided the terrorists’ operational bases in Kuduru Forest, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.
More than 250 terrorists were killed by the Police Special Forces during the raid. The police set fire to their hideouts. However, two policemen were killed and 13 others injured. A police helicopter giving aerial back up to the operation was shot at by the terrorists.
Inspector General of Police Sulaiman Adamu has promised to intensify the push to finish off the terrorists.
Those arrested are; Munkailu Liman Isah aka Babban Driver 32, Abdullahi Saminu aka Danmunafiki, 21 and Aminu Usman, 22.
This brings to eight the number of Ansaru terrorists arrested after the raid.
Police spokesman Frank Mba, said the suspects were already assisting Police investigators with useful information relating to the membership spread and make-up, criminal/operational records, logistics and general modus operandi of the terror group.
He said: “Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were actively involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emir’s Police escorts. They were also involved in several other kidnap operations and terror attacks on commuters and other innocent citizens along some major highways, especially in the North-West and North Central States of the country.
“Unfortunately, investigation also reveals that some citizens, especially those within the business community, give tacit support to the terror groups by deliberately doing businesses with them through the supply of essential goods, drugs (licit/illicit) and other services. To this end, the IGP calls for patriotism amongst the people, noting that this is the only way the fight against the criminal elements can truly be won.
“While Police operatives are on the close trail of other fleeing members of the terror groups and their collaborators, the IGP has expressed immense appreciation to all and sundry, especially the good people of Birnin-Gwari and environs for their understanding, cooperation and support which have resulted in the measure of successes recorded so far particularly in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other heinous crimes in the country.”
The battle raged on in Borno as soldiers engaged in firefight with Boko Haram.
Read Also: Inspector killed, 13 injured in police raid on terrorists’ camp
Soldiers repelled an attack on Kalla, near Damboa and chased the insurgents to their operational bases, which were destroyed.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume,told reporters in Abuja that “On Saturday night, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Kalla, a village near Damboa.
“The Army Brigade there responded promptly. This time around, they did not only repell the insurgents, they also went after them.
“Up till Sunday afternoon, the military personnel are still chasing the insurgents. The Brigade Commander said they have chased them to their enclaves and recovered some arms, and other dangerous weapons.
“He said the soldiers have also killed many of the insurgents.
“The soldiers are still chasing the Boko Haram insurgents to their permanent bases where they are operating from.
“If the soldiers continue in that manner, insurgency will not only be defeated but would come to a complete end.
“What the soldiers have done is to remove the roots from a tree.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Army for responding quickly to the villagers’ distress call, and by extension, calls by Nigerians that they should intensify the fight against insurgency.
“Other army formations have been given the order not only to repel the insurgents but to take the fight to the operational base of the insurgents.
“That is what also happened in Askira Uba last week when the insurgents went there to attack the people. The armed forces took the fight to them and advance to where they can.”
Ndume said the troops were acting under a fresh directive from the military high command that soldiers should, henceforth, bombard Boko Haram strongholds in a renewed offensive to end insurgency in the country.
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