The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said forces in Sectors 3 and 4 have arrested more than 900 suspected family members and collaborators of Boko Haram/ISWAP militants.
This was announced on Wednesday in a statement by Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke Chief Military Public Information Officer for MNJTF in N’Djamena Chad.
Adegoke said the civil war between Boko Haram and his ISWAP terrorist group, the impact of bombings by the MNJTF and other state operations, especially the impact of airstrikes, prompted their move.
He announced last month that there had been a continuous movement of large numbers of people from the Sambisa Forest to the Lake Chad Basin.
“In a joint coordinated operation between Sectors 3 and 4 of the MNJTF in the Kamadougu Yobe River general area, along the Nigeria/Niger common border areas, more than 900 people, made up of women, children and elderly people suspected to be families and collaborators of the insurgents, have been arrested.
“Collaboration with national authorities and subsequent profiling and handing over is ongoing.
“Also, troops of Sector 4 conducted a night patrol along Ngagam – Djalori Axis where they rescued three women alongside their four children who were fleeing from the fighting between the Boko Haram and ISWAP from Sambisa forest.
“In a related encouraging development, on March 8, troops of Sector 3 Nigeria deployed at Damasak, intercepted 70 terrorists’ family members comprising 43 women and 30 children.
“They are currently receiving medical attention and profiling,” he said.
Adegoke explained that the emerging situation by the MNJTF troops of Sector 3 Nigeria started on March 5.
He said this followed the arrest of two suspected Boko Haram terrorists logistics suppliers and their collaborators Muhammed Sabo and Sarki Danladi while trying to exit Munguno town to the Tumbuns to link up with the terrorists.
Also, he said that the items recovered from the suspects included two blankets, two fishermen’s identity cards, three wristwatches, two access passes which were issued by the terrorists, 20 empty sack bags, and some personal clothing.
He added that troops on stop and search operation along the Main Supply Route Monguno – Kekeno – Cross Kauwa- Baga on March 4, arrested two suspects conveying some quantities of wrappers and other logistics to the terrorists.
cc: Daily Post Ng
