Soldiers capture B’Haram kingpin, rescue 241 children, women

The war against terror received a major boost on Wednesday when Nigerian troops captured a member of the highest hierarchy of the Boko Haram group, Bulama Modu, along with 43 other members in Borno State.

Modu, a commander of the Amir cadre, which is the highest organ of the group, was captured when the troops destroyed Janguoriri and Bulatori Camps of the insurgents in northern Borno.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the development, also said that women and children numbering 241 were rescued during the operation.

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Usman said that the troops recovered some bows and arrows from Bulama who confessed that he also used a horse to carry out his murderous attacks on innocent people.

The Army spokesperson said that Boko Haram kingpins had resorted to burying their weapons in the sand, adding that some members of the group had abandoned their commanders in the heat of battle against the country’s Special Forces.

According to Usman, one terror suspect, Mohammed Modu, led the troops to a point where he buried his AK 47 rifle.

He said, “Please recall that yesterday, advancing troops along Banki axis made tremendous progress in which they cleared two Boko Haram terrorist 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. The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation.

“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, he confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.”

Usman said that the troops also arrested one Aji Gambo at Wudla village who disclosed that the terrorists who attacked northern Cameroun were from Dara Jamel in Nigeria, where the insurgents had an Improvised Explosive Device factory.

Gambo was said to have told the troops that the IEDs used for the attack on northern Cameroun were prepared by the trio of Abdulrahaman Alkali, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, all natives of Dara Jamel.

He added that the suspected insurgents had fled Dara Jamel for Sumbulun village.

Usman said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Tukur Buratai, who had been monitoring the progress made in the campaign, commended the soldiers for their impressive performance.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram insurgency are numbered.

He stated that the sect’s reign of terror in parts of the country would be over very soon, stressing that the ongoing military onslaught against the deadly sect would continue until total victory is achieved.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Senior Assistant on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, on Wednesday, said he had directed the Armed Forces and other security agencies to provide maximum security across the nation during the Eid-el-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The statement said, “President Buhari assures all Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved.”

The President, who felicitated with all Nigerian Muslims as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, also congratulated all Nigerian pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

In particular, Buhari urged Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves and imbibe the lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which he said were for the benefit of all mankind.

“The President called for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming insecurity, economic and developmental challenges,” the statement added.

Buhari assured all Nigerians that their safety, wellbeing and progress remained uppermost in his thoughts and actions, promising to continue to work with all his might to deliver positive changes in national life.

The President extended heartfelt commiserations to families in North-East Nigeria who had lost relatives in recent terrorist attacks.