Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Friday captured a number of
terrorists, including one described as "Boko Haram's lead specialist
in human butchery" as they continue their offensive against the
insurgents along Nigeria's border with Chad.
The MNJTF also repelled a dusk attack by the terrorists in their bid
to overrun markets in communities in the outskirts of Monguno and NNPC
at New Marte, Borno State along the border with Chad.
Also yesterday, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant bail to
an Islamic scholar and a university lecturer, Dr. Muhammed Nazeef
Yunus and two others, who are standing trial for their alleged
involvement in terrorism activities.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade who
disclosed the capture of the "human butcher' in a statement yesterday
added that over 50 assorted brands of grenades and11 AK 47 rifles were
recovered from the fleeing terrorists.
He revealed that cordon and search operations are ongoing at the
general area while heightened patrols are continuing.
Meanwhile, he said, interrogation of captured terrorists from various
locations had been yielding useful information as to their mode of
operations.
"Among those in custody is a lead specialist in butchering human
beings who insists he does not use firearms but daggers and cutlasses
for his assignment", he said.
In the same vein, Olukolade said that troops on stop and search patrol
yesterday afternoon in Maiduguri arrested a man suspected to be a
terrorist with an unprimed Improvised Explosive Device (IED), who was
undergoing further interrogation as at the time of reporting.
The Defence Spokesman further revealed that more assaults and
encounters are continuing in other identified locations as
intelligence sources confirm the routes being used by the fleeing
terrorists.
"Troops have been directed to sustain aggressive patrols in certain
areas where terrorists' actions are anticipated", he added.
Yunus, the suspected Boko Haram member who was denied bail yesterday
by the Abuja court is a lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies,
Kogi State University, Ayingba.
He was charged alongside Salami Abdullahi (a.k.a Asta) and Musa Umar
with act of terrorism, an offence that ran contrary to section 17 of
the terrorism Prevention Act 2013 (as amended).
The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole in his ruling on the bail
application said he would not grant the accused persons bail
considering the gravity of the allegation and the security challenges
posed by the Boko Haram insurgents, especially the recent m****r of
school children in Yobe State.
Consequently, the Judge held that: "The bail application by the
accused persons failed" and ordered accelerated hearing in the matter.
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