33 foodstuff suppliers of terror group arrested

The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that 33 suspected suppliers of foodstuff to Boko Haram terrorists had been arrested by troops on patrol along Azir-Wajiroko road in Damboa, Borno.

A statement issued in Abuja by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspects were arrested with large quantity of foodstuff.

The statement said the suspects had confessed to buying and selling food items to the terrorists, but that security operatives were making efforts to ascertain their level of involvement.

"Intensive patrols and vigilance of troops have continued to yield positive results with the arrest of 33 suspected food suppliers to the Boko Haram terrorists in Damboa axis around Azir-Wajiroko road, Borno.

"The 33 suspected Boko Haram accomplices were arrested with large quantity of foodstuff meant for Boko Haram terrorists at Korode.

"Nine of the 33 suspects are from Korode; five from Auma; 10 from Geargube; four from Kausautaya; four from Bulbul; and one from Dolomi villages.

"Although some of the suspects claimed to be traders, they did not deny buying and selling food items to the terrorists.’’

It added that troops in clearance operations along Korode axis had discovered and destroyed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Boko Haram terrorists at Sandia village.

It said more men, women and children were also rescued from the terrorists at Buduwa area along Bama axis.The rescued persons were part of those abducted by Boko Haram terrorists at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno during the same operation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that scores of Boko Haram captives comprising women, children and men were recently rescued by troops during clearance operations.