The Nigerian Army has disclosed that troops have arrested a high-profile member of Boko Haram in Borno State.
The Army made the disclosure on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Specifically, the development was disclosed by Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu identified the Boko Haram member as Yawi Modu. He stated that Modu was detained along the Damboa-Wajiroko road; one of the black spots in which the sect has launched a series of attacks against Nigerian Army troops in recent times.
In addition, the Army spokesman revealed that troops had raided two locations in Borno; as well as a neighboring area where improvised explosive devices materials were made. He disclosed that the sect and fighters from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) had been using the location for their operations.
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Among the items recovered from the site were 251 bags of Urea fertilizer used in making explosives.
Nwachukwu further disclosed that two Boko Haram members were arrested on-site. He added that the depletion in the ranks of the terrorists has seen the sect desperately acquiring IED materials to make explosive devices with which to unleash terror on innocent civilians.
1st News reports that the development comes in the wake of a mass surrender of Boko Haram fighters. According to figures released by the Nigerian Army, nearly 6,000 members of the terrorist group have surrendered in recent times.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is currently in its 12th year of prosecuting the war against Boko Haram.
The conflict, which began as a loosely organized stand against the Nigerian government, has spawned into one of the world’s bloodiest insurgency; with over 300,000 casualties and millions of Nigerians displaced as a result.
1st News reports that the insurgency took on a more worrisome dimension in 2016; with the emergence of the rival ISWAP. ISWAP, which is believed to have been responsible for the death of long-time Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, claims allegiance to ISIS in the Middle East.
