Troops found N1.9m On Displaced Man Rescued From Boko Haram

Troops found N1.9m On Displaced Man Rescued From Boko Haram  
BY ABDULKAREEM HARUNA, Abuja

Nigerian Army authority says a didplaced man found wandering in the bush would be held in custody until he gives a convincing account of how he came about the sum of N1.9 million found in his possession.

The man, Abacha Bulama, was among the 31 internally displaced persons intercepted by troops wandering IDPs intercepted near   Sunabaya,  Gumule,  Garno and Mane-Gana villages of Borno state.  

Troops wondered how a man who claimed to have been wandering in the for long could have such a large sum of cash on him.

Boko Haram usually leverage on fleeing IDP company to sneak into the larger community or carry out attacks.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the man would have to prove was not an agent of Boko Haram before he would be let go.

"During preliminary investigations along with the vigilantes, one of the IDPs,  Abacha Bulama, a native of Mane-Gana village, was found to be in possession  of   the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,900,000.00k).

"Although he claimed to be a businessman, his possession of such large amount of money arose suspicion.

"While Bulama has been detained for further investigation, other IDPs have been handed over to Dikwa IDP Camp Manager for screening and further humanitarian assistance", said Colonel Usman.

The Army Spokesman said troops had in the last 24 hours carried out other successful operations within and around Sambisa which led to Killing of dozens of Boko Haram and recovery of arms and rescue of many more captives from the camps.

Unfortunately, soldiers had suffered attacks by Boko Haram which were however repelled.

"In continuation of  Operation CRACKDOWN deep inside Sambisa forest, troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations within the theatre of operations", said Colonel Usman.

"At about 1.35pm yesterday troops of 143  Battalion arrested one  Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted. He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation.

"Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along  Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open. 

"Similarly, the same unit in conjunction with some elements of 112 Task Force Battalion  conducted a fighting patrol along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road. The team had a fierce fire fight with some Boko Haram terrorists elements  in which the troops killed quite a number of the Boko Haram terrorists. 

"Unfortunately, while on their way back, the team ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Antul, a village south east of Dikwa, in which 7 soldiers and 4  Civilian JTF accompanying them sustained injuries. The injured soldiers and their civilian counterparts have been evacuated to 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Maiduguri.

"However, the patrol killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered   2  AK-47 rifles from them.

"On their part, troops of   254 Task Force  Battalion, 25 Task Force  Brigade have moved to Ngalimeri and shelled Boko Haram terrorists hideouts at    Budumairi,  Goneri Baleni, Mallam Maitari,  Malemiri and Gombori. Although there were no signs of the Boko Haram in the area as they have all fled, however,  35 persons were rescued, screened and rehabilitated at Damboa IDP camp. The troops also arrested 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists with Dane Guns.

"In a related development, troops  of 192 Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade also carried out clearance operations at Guduf Buba, Yagwa, Gamude, Kwatara  Kasa and Kwatara Tsakiya villages. It was observed that at Kwatara Tsakiya, the terrorists have neatly removed the roofing of the dispensary and other buildings possibly to cart away later.
  
"Apart of the formations and units mentioned above, quite a number of them have maintained blocking positions to prevent Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Operation CRACKDOWN  and aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Army, while other troops carry out raids, cordon and searches in suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts.

"Due to increased security, the theatre is witnessing increased humanitarian activities by various government and non-governmental agencies".