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| Babuji Ya’ari (A suspected abductor of the Chibok girls) |
ABUJA—Almost
three months after Boko Haram terrorists abducted more than 200
schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, the military announced, yesterday,
that it has arrested one of the sect’s leaders, who was one of the
abductors.
This came on
a day the sect members bombed a Divisional Police Headquarters in Shani
Local Government Area of Borno State and also attacked an emir’s
palace.
The alleged
abductor of the Chibok girls, whose name was given as Babuji Ya’ari, was
also said to have led the attack in which the Emir of Gwoza, Alh.
Idriss Timta, was killed a few weeks ago.
The Director
of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, disclosed in a
statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, that Ya’ari doubled as member of
the Youth Vigilante Group, popularly known as Civilian JTF.
According to
the Defence spokesman, the Boko Haram kingpin used his membership of
the civilian JTF only as a cover, as he has been coordinating deadly
attacks in Borno State since 2011.
He added
that the arrest of Ya’ari led to the arrest of several other Boko Haram
intelligence cell members. Olukolade said that those arrested had
confessed their involvement with the deadly sect and named several
others who were being trailed.
The full
text reads: “A terrorists’ intelligence cell headed by a businessman,
who participated actively in the abduction of School Girls 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 terrorist 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 terrorist 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”.
Boko Haram bomb police headquarters, attack Emir’s palace, burn houses, shops
Meanwhile,
barely 24 hours after the terrorists attacked Cbibok communities in
Borno State killing no fewer than 51 persons, the sect members,
yesterday, invaded Shani Local Government Area of the state and bombed
the Divisional Police Headquarters.
Shani is south and about 245 kilometres drive to Maiduguri which also shares boundary with some parts of Adamawa State.
The
insurgents also attacked the palace of the newly appointed Emir of
Shani, Alhaji Sanusi Mailafiya. The sect members were said to be hunting
for the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Madu Walama, whom they believed
was hiding inside the palace.
According to
the residents of the community, after the heavily armed terrorists
attacked the police headquarters with an Improvised Explosive Device at
about 2.45pm, yesterday, they proceeded to the town and started shooting
indiscriminately at people. They also set houses, shops and vehicles on
fire. Many of the residents were feared dead, although casualty figure
could not be ascertained.
After
attacking the Emir’s palace, the terrorists were also reported to have
looted a pharmaceutical store in Witambaya village before escaping into
the hills of Pelambirni village bordering some communities in Adamawa
State.
Another set of gunmen also reportedly attacked Mandaragirau village in Biu Local Government Area and went away with 60 cows.
A resident told Vanguard on
phone that the gunmen came at about 10:00pm on Sunday and started
shooting sporadically for some hours before they carted away 60 cows. No
life was however lost.
Efforts to
reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Gideon Jibrin for
confirmation did not yield any result, as his phone was switched off.
Jonathan condemns attack on Chibok
Meantime,
President Goodluck Jonathan has called on all lovers of peace in the
country to condemn efforts by agents of global terrorism to disunite and
destabilize Nigeria by callously instigating violence among religious
groups in the country.
Reacting to
the attack on some churches in Chibok where scores of worshipers were
killed, President Jonathan said he shares the view of the most learned
Islamic leaders and scholars that no true Muslim will resort to the
mindless killing of innocent people at any time, especially during the
holy month of Ramadan, to redress any perceived grievance.
“The
President deplores the renewed targeting by Boko Haram of adherents of a
particular religion and urges all lovers of peace and unity to wholly
condemn the renewed violence by the Boko Haram insurgents.
A statement
by Reuben Abati, the Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Publicity said: “The President believes, therefore, that Sunday’s
attacks on churches and other similar atrocities by Boko Haram are
conclusive proof, if any is still needed, that its leaders and members
are thoroughly misguided persons who are only using religion as a cover
for their reprehensible crimes against their countrymen and women.
“President
Jonathan urges all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs,
to resist this new attempt to undermine the nation’s firm and collective
resolve to unite in full support of its armed forces and security
agencies against the vicious perpetrators of brutal attacks on innocent
citizens.
“The
President assures all Nigerians once again that the Federal Government
and national security agencies will continue to intensify ongoing
efforts to end Boko Haram’s senseless attacks until the terrorists are
routed and totally defeated.
“He
commiserates with the families and churches that lost loved ones,
members and places of worship during Sunday’s attacks” the statement
concluded.
Chibok abduction won’t hinder fight against terrorism – FG
The Federal
Government has also restated that it would not be deterred by the
abduction of more than 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State to fight
the insurgents.
The National
Coordinator of National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri stated this,
yesterday, at the routine security briefing, alongside with
spokespersons of security forces, in Abuja.
Fielding
questions from journalists on why killings continue in spite of the
deployment of security operatives by the government, Omeri said
government was not demoralised and would not be, despite challenges it
is facing to rescue the girls.
He said:
“The President, security agencies, even all of us sitting here said in
relation Chibok girls: The focus is to rescue them alive not attracting
collateral damage or destroying the lives of those children. And
therefore, the approach at rescue is different.
“Now, the
Air Force even as at yesterday (Sunday) came out to fight the
insurgents, where they make themselves available to be confronted. You
can confirm that from Chibok and even the other week as well.
“As I said
earlier, there are rules of engagement in the war, a conventional
professional armed forces will stick to it, but an unconventional group
or team of criminals will not stick to it.
“And don’t
forget that this government have zero tolerance for abuses whether by
armed forces, police or whosoever. So, we will stick to the rule of
engagement and do the right thing,” he said.
Speaking on
the attack in Kautikeri, kwada and Birnjuzu about 10 kilometres from
Chibok, Borno state, Omeri said government had intensified patrol in the
area.
He
maintained that government and the community leaders were working to
ascertain the extent of damage and figures, noting that there were
causalities from both the security forces and the insurgents.
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