Army dismisses Boko Haram's infiltration of South-West

The Nigerian Army has dismissed the report that terror group, Boko Haram, is planning an attack in the southwest region.

This was contained in a statement released in Ado-Ekiti by the state Director, Mr. Dayo Famosaya.

In the statement, Famosaya citing security reports, had said Boko Haram fighters may have infiltrated the South-west. He urged the general public be security conscious and avoid crowded places.

“They have threatened to deploy cluster bombs in the zone. These cluster bombs are usually housed in discarded metallic materials such as cans of beverages and soft drinks.

“The bombs may be concealed in bags and for it to have more grievous effect, they have planned to deploy these bombs in crowded places such as schools, markets, stadia, churches and mosques,” Famosaya said.

But the Defence Headquarter, via its Facebook page, countered the statement.

“While concerted efforts are being made by the military and other security agencies to contain the menace of terrorism in the North East with tremendous success, it is disheartening to hear of some unfounded rumours of impending terror attack in western parts of the country.

“Those who seek to spread falsehood in order to cause unnecessary panic among the populace are hereby warned to stop forthwith.

“We want to advise the general public to disregard such rumours and go about their normal businesses. Any suspicious or unusual movement of persons should be reported to security agencies as the military is working round the clock to put an end to terrorism,” the army wrote on the social media site.

However, since President Muhammadu Buhari gave the Nigerian Army December ultimatum to end insurgency in the country, it has intensified assault on the terrorists' hideouts in Borno and environs. It has recaptured more villages under the reign of the militant group.

Although, former military Head of state, Yakubu Gowon, had said that the December deadline to rid the country of Boko Haram terrorists is not realistic, the Army insists it is achievable.