Nigerian Military Arrest 'Wanted' Boko Haram Informant In Abuja

Mamuda Usman (aka Bado), a wanted Boko Haram terrorists’ (BHT) informant, has been nabbed.

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed the arrest of Mamuda Usman (aka Bado), by its tactical surveillance forces in the Federal Capital Territory's Asokoro neighbourhood, Abuja.

Major-General Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations, announced this at a bi-weekly press conference on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Danmadami, the suspect ran errands for a suspected high-ranking BHT leader in Kaduna State.

He stated that the commander was on the radar of security authorities and that the apprehended suspect was being held for further investigation.

During clearance operations at Changal village in Mangu Local Government Area and Pinau village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau, the forces also followed and rescued kidnapped victims from kidnappers, according to the spokesman.

He stated that Operation Whirl Stroke troops detained two kidnappers, Alex Apera (26) and Umaru Halilu (34) and rescued victims in Taraba's ChanChangi village in Takun Local Government Area and Rafin Kada village in Wukari Local Government Area.

Danmadami stated that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji continued to strengthen offensive action against terrorist activities in the North-West zone with various rescue, clearance operations, ambushes, raids, and patrols.

In land and air operations in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states, he added that some numbers of terrorists and other criminal elements were apprehended and neutralised.

He stated that on September 3, the force neutralised three terrorists while others fled with gun injuries after an encounter at Kurar Mota in Zamfara's Gusau Local Government Area.

According to him, one of the terrorists neutralised was Dan Nijar Bala, a notable terrorist who had been on the wanted list of forces and is known for a series of kidnapping occurrences and attacks in the surrounding area.

Danmadami said that the air component had on August 30, eliminated several terrorists in airstrikes at Alhaji Isiaka village, Kuduru in the Igabi Local Government Area and Udawa along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road in Kaduna State.

He said the troops also apprehended a suspected BHT arms dealer, named Hamza Dogo in Zamfara and recovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 200 rounds of 7.62mm and one Pontiac vehicle from the suspect.

“Consequently, within the week under review, the troops neutralised 17 terrorists, arrested 38 others and rescued 61 kidnapped civilians,” he said.

He said that troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, three locally made guns, four fabricated revolver rifles, 253 rounds of 7.62mm special and 68 motorcycles.

Others are; 15 mobile phones, three woodland camouflages, one police uniform, two pairs of combat boots, 29 rustled cattle and two vehicles.

“All recovered items, apprehended suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action,” he added.