Some shocking discoveries have been made in Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital that is said to be the engine-room of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“During search of the areas, many arms and ammunition of various calibres buried in houses and cemeteries were recovered. Decomposing corpses of those killed by the terrorists were also found in soak-away and mass graves of terrorists killed. Troops also discovered vast network mouse-holes linking compounds and underground tunnels as well as bunkers under houses."
The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Order II, found mass graves, tunnels and bunkers in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa showed reporters shallow graves, tunnels and bunkers at Bulabulin Nganaram yesterday. He said Boko Haram men who died in gun battles with security troops were buried in the graves.
Around the shallow graves in the open field were decomposing bodies and human bones. There was a big bunker where the JTF said it discovered a cache of weapons. The bunker, according to the JTF, was dug behind a two-bedroom apartment, making residents to believe it was a sewage pit. There were also tuunels, which are believed to have served as passage for the insurgents from their hideouts.
Bulabulin Nganaram is believed to be the main stronghold of the insurgents.
The JTF, in a statement by Col Musa, said: “The Joint Task Force (JTF) between 3-8 July, 2013 dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from their main enclave in Bulabulin Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja areas of Maiduguri metropolis.
“During the encounter, some terrorists were killed in the fire fight, including the main Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram (who was on the wanted list of the JTF with a ten million naira bounty). He was responsible for the killing of a teacher and three students of Sanda Karami Secondary School, Ruwan Zafi Maiduguri. Many abducted women, girls and children were rescued and handed over to their families by the Task Force.
"Troops are still searching the area for more weapons, ammunition and mass graves. The JTF uses this opportunity to appeal to members of the public for support and more information on terrorists’ activities.”
You may wish to know that the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Resolution of Security Challenges in the North has insisted that the ceasefire negotiation with Boko Haram is still on course. The Committtee said they are ready to meet with Shekau, the authentic commander.
“This committee does not report to the Chief of Defence Staff or any of the service chiefs. We are expected to report to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who will then decide on how the military and other security agencies should be involved,” a source said.
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