The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a Boko Haram informant that gave out information to terrorists which assisted them in attacking a military base in Yobe State.
The spokesperson of the Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima in a statement made available to TrackNews Online on Sunday gave the name of the informant as Modu Ari.
The statement added that Ari was arrested by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade attached to Operation Lafiya Dole.
The Army statement confirmed an earlier report by this online news platform that ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kumuya military base in Yobe State.
The terrorists attacked when some special forces of the 27 Task Force Brigade, deployed at Buni Gari had gone out on clearing Patrol in the axis.
During the attack, the terrorists were said to have attacked Kumuya community, terrorized harmless villagers before descending on the military base where they destroyed some heavy military equipment.
Yerima added in Sunday’s statement that the arrested person has confessed to the crime while investigations have commenced to unveil the network of other informants loyal to the terrorists.
The full statement reads: “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested suspected Boko Haram informant whose spying activities and that of his accomplices were responsible for the attacks on troops position by terrorists in Kamuya, Yobe State.”
“The informant who was identified as Modu Ari was apprehended by troops of 27 Task Force Bridge.”
“On interrogation, he confessed to have revealed troops’ movements and position to the Boko Haram collaborators.”
“An investigation is however ongoing to unravel the network of local informants whose nefarious activities have endangered troops on clearance operations around the fringes of Timbuktu Triangle.”
The unfortunate sabotage of troops movement by Ari and his accomplices made it possible for the terrorists to attack the rear element of troops on patrol.”
“Though the attack was swiftly repelled by troops from the Tactical Headquarters of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Super Camp 3 Buratai, own troops suffered some casualties.”
“In spite of the setback, the Chief of Army Staff has encouraged troops of Operation Tura Takaibango to keep their fighting spirit up and to remain dedicated in the effort to flush out the remnants of the terrorists as quickly as possible.”
“He charged them not to relent even in the face of gross unpatriotic acts of some locals who are snitching on their movements and positions.”
“The COAS also admonished citizens to as a matter of patriotic duty, avail the troops of credible and timely information that will help them flush out the adversaries.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has announced that it will temporarily suspend its humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak in Borno state following consistent Boko Haram attacks in those areas.
TrackNews Online reports that this was made known in a statement to newsmen on Saturday by the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon.
Giving reasons for the suspension, Kallon stated that the UN wants to safely relocate its humanitarian staff to other locations.
