Army Capture 120 Boko Haram Members

DEFENCE Headquarters on Monday announced arrest of 120 terrorists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital while organising the burial of one of its commanders who was killed in an encounter on Sunday.

A statement by Director Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, a Brigadier General in Abuja on Monday confirmed that the arrested insurgents were in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated.

He stated that the advancing troops have also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist group.

Olukolade stated that the Special Forces have equally secured the environs of additional five villages of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and Chikun Ngulalo after destroying all the terrorist camps sited in the vicinity of these localities.

Olukolade, who confirmed that the terrorists were fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic, assured that they were  being contained as they have had encounter with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.

“In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organised burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with special forces the previous day.  The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated,” he said.

He said that the troops were already interacting with locals and citizens to  assure them of their safety and freedom from the activities of the insurgents.

He denied allegation that Nigerians were fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries, saying that photographs  purportedly taken and used by the media as depicting the areas covered by the operations were questionable.

“Defence Headquarters has observed the use of photographs purportedly taken in the areas covered by the operations and wishes to state that the photographs are questionable, as they do not reflect any related reality of the social or geographical environment.  

“This also makes the story they claim to depict of Nigerians fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries doubtful. The media is advised to always strive to associate stories with accurate pictures in order to avoid misleading the public,” Olukolade stated.