The Nigerian Army says it has arrested 21 suspected Boko Haram members and collaborators in Borno State, North East Nigeria.
According to Sani Usman, an army colonel and spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, the arrest was made on Friday, October 21 2016.
In a statement e-mailed to The Trent, Usman said the arrested persons were suspected of collaborating with Boko Haram terrorist to cause havoc in the North East.
The colonel said that the collaborators who, in the guise as cattle rustlers, sabotage Nigeria by funding the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists in causing mayhem in the country. He urged the public to report any known or suspected illegality to security personnel in their area.
“As part of measures to stem the tide of livestock rustling which serves as another means of funding Boko Haram terrorists activities, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in conjunction with other security agencies has taken measures to stop the criminality,” the statement said.
“These measures have led to the arrest of some persons involved in aiding and abetting this heinous crime in the Theatre of Operation. So far, 21 suspected persons have been arrested. Preliminary investigation and profiling of the suspects has commenced.”
“Such actions by these unpatriotic elements are likely to jeopardize our collective efforts of clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in our country.”
“Although investigations are ongoing, it is important to state that this is a warning to all those collaborators that aid and abet terrorism in the north east generally and Borno State in particular, to desist forthwith.”
“The Nigerian Army and indeed Operation LAFIYA DOLE would not tolerate such acts of sabotage from anybody.”
