• Busts terrorists’ intelligence network
The military has recorded a breakthrough in the investigation relating to the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, with the arrest of a businessman believed to have participated in the operation.In a press statement yesterday, Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said the suspect, Babuji Ya’ari, headed an intelligence cell of Boko Haram and actively participated in the abduction of the Chibok students, whose whereabouts are still unknown.He stated that the suspect camouflaged as a member of the Civilian JTFin Borno State and also participated in the murder of Emir of Gwoza. The defence spokesman also revealed that a lady, Hafsat Bako, who coordinated the payment of Boko Haram terrorists, has also been arrested. Also arrested is another female suspect named Haj Kaka, an armourer and spy for Boko Haram.
He stated that troops in Yobe State engaged in fierce battle with the insurgents at the weekend, resulting in casualties.
The statement read in part: “A terrorists’ intelligence cell headed by a businessman, who participated actively in the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok has been busted by troops. The man, Babuji Ya’ari, who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group popularly known as Civilian JTF, which he uses as cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza. His main role in the group is to spy and gather information for the terrorists group.
“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town.
“The arrest of the businessman, who is known to deal in tricycles, has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women. One of them, Hafsat Bako, had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion but was tracked and arrested. Prior to her arrest, Hafsat coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group. In her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10, 000 is paid to each operative depending on the enormity of his task.
“Another female suspect named Haj Kaka, who doubles as an armourer and a spy for the terrorists group has also been arrested. Until their arrest, all the suspects actively operated a terrorists’ intelligence cell in collaboration with others still at large.
“In another development, troops deployed in Goniri, Yobe State, over the weekend, had an encounter with terrorists, resulting in casualties on both sides after the attack was successfully repelled.”