Boko Haram kingpin, 42 other terrorists arrested – Nigerian Army

The Nigeria Army, Wednesday, said troops advancing toward the Banki axis of Borno state have arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, including its kingpin in the area, Bulama Modu.

The Army said this in a statement issued by its acting spokesman, Sani Usman, that the troops also rescued 241 women and children in the operation.

It said arms and ammunition, bows and arrows and a horse were recovered from the terrorists’ kingpin.

Mr. Usman said one of the arrested terrorists led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village.

He said in the statement that the recoveries in the latest operations confirmed the Army’s earlier claim that the terrorists were abandoning their commanders and burying weapons.

“Please recall that yesterday advancing troops along Banki axis were making tremendous progress in which they cleared 2 Boko Haram terrorists camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages.

“In addition to that, the troops have also arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists including one of the Boko Haram kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu, who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri.

“To further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village.

“Apart from arms and ammunition, bows and arrows recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin, a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits was also recovered.’’

Mr. Usman said troops operating around Wudla village also arrested one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo.

He said the arrested kingpin revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in northern Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village in Nigeria.

According to the statement, he Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has commended the troops in the front line for their impressive performance thus far in counter-insurgency operation.

Mr. Buratai said all troops involved in the operations have so far displayed the highest sense of patriotism and determination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists to their last enclave.