The Nigerian Army has arrested at least 12 persons in connection with acts of terrorism carried out by a breakaway group of the Boko Haram insurgents known as Mahmuda, which reportedly occupied the Kanji Lake National Park.
The group had before now allegedly maimed, exploited, terrorised and taken advantage of residents of neighbouring border communities in the Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State and the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu, who recently visited the camps in the Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State disclosed this on Saturday, during a visit to have first-hand information about how the officers and men are faring as well as get updates on the operation.
According to the GOC, the 12 suspects arrested were picked up by the military at various locations in its raid of the Kanji Lake National Park and the border communities.
Two of those arrested were said to be confirmed members of the armed bandit group, while others were said to be accomplices in the criminal act.
“The counterinsurgency operation code-named ‘Park Strike Four’ is meant to, among other things, flush out the bandits and clear the Kanji Lake National Park of all criminal tendencies,” he added.
The GOC told journalists that the men and officers deployed for the operation were not resting on their laurels to restore sanity at the park and raise the hope of the people around the area.
He said, “Through the raid operation, the troops have successfully combed a distance of at least 90 kilometers from Kemanji into the Kanji forest where its firm base is currently situated.”
During his trip, the GOC, who said the mission was already being accomplished, added that “both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements”.
After interacting with the troops, Gen Onubogu also visited the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and the Head of Kemanji Community known as Shao’ki, Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, where he raised the hope of the locals, boosted their morale, and restored their confidence.
It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, had given the troops a month’s marching order to flush out the bandits.
The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, following the orders of the COAS, has since deployed troops to comb the border communities in Kwara and Niger states as well as the Kanji lake forest for the wanted elements taking arms against innocent citizens of Nigeria.
