Nigeria Still Winning: 20 Terrorists killed, 4 Boko Bombers Arrested in Borno

No fewer than 20 people suspected to be members of a terrorists group have been killed in Mainok Village of Beneshiek Local Government Areas of Borno State in a gun duel between them and men of the Joint Task Force. Also killed, according to a reliable source, are two security personnel suspected to be policemen.

This is even as four high profile Boko Haram members including one suspected to be very close to the leader of the sect group, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, were reportedly arrested yesterday by
Vigilantee Youths popularly known as ‘Civilian JTF’ in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Our Correspondent gathered from reliable source that the terrorists invaded Mainok Village on Wednesday in an attempt to launch attacks on one of the security posts in the area, but they were repelled by the JTF. The source said the terrorists laid ambush in the evening at about 6pm, which led to the exchange of gunfire.

He said, during the encounter, several members of the terrorists group were killed, while two people suspected to be security operatives were also killed by the suspects. The arrest of some men believed to be memebrs of Boko Haram, it was gathered, took place in different locations in Maiduguri metropolis.

Three of the suspected members of the sect were arrested at Galtimari ward close to Giwa Barracks before they were handed over to the JTF unit along 21 Armoured Brigade Roads, while the other was arrested at Kawar-Maila in Shehuri ward, one of the strongholds of Boko Haram sect which had witnessed series of killings, bombings and destruction of houses in recent past.

The ‘Civilian JTF’ which has been assisting the JTF to rid the state of terrorists, came to NNPC filling station along Lagos Street after they arrested one of the suspects which they claimed to be very close to the sect leader, Shekau, and bundled him in one of their vehicle’s boot.

Speaking to newsmen in an interview at the filling station, one of the ‘Civilian JTF’ who did not mention his name said that they were taking him to one of the car wash near the Sanda Kyarimi zoo in the metropolis to show them some of his lieutenants where they were hiding with their guns.

Due to the total closure of GSM network services in Borno State for the past one month, the JTF spokesman, Leuitenanat Colonel Sagir Musa, and the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, could not be reached for confirmation.