12 Suspected Terrorists Arrested in Kwara: Nigerian Army Strikes Against Boko Haram Faction
The Nigerian Army has successfully arrested at least 12 members of a breakaway faction of Boko Haram known as Mahmuda. This group had recently taken control of parts of the Kanji Lake National Park and had been causing chaos in nearby communities, including Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas in Kwara State, as well as Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State.
Major General Obinna Onubogu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division, shared this update on Saturday during an operational visit where he reviewed the welfare of troops and the progress of ongoing military operations. He confirmed that the arrests took place across various locations during a military raid aimed at clearing the park and its surrounding areas of terrorist and criminal activity.
“Two of those arrested were confirmed members of the armed bandit group, while the others are believed to be accomplices in the criminal activities,” Onubogu revealed. The operation, named ‘Park Strike Four,’ was launched specifically to remove bandits and eliminate terrorist operations within the Kanji Lake National Park.
The GOC further explained that troops involved in the operation had successfully covered a distance of at least 90 kilometers, from Kemanji into the heart of the Kanji forest. Their efforts have been instrumental in pushing out the Mahmuda faction and their criminal collaborators. "Both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements," he said.
During his visit, Gen. Onubogu also met with local leaders, including the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and Shao’ki Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, the head of the Kemanji community. He assured them that the military would continue its efforts to restore peace and security to the region.
This troop deployment was ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, as part of the response to rising terrorist threats in the national park and the surrounding communities.
