Boko Haram: Troops arrest insurgents’ fuel suppliers

The Nigerian Army, on Wednesday,  said its troops have arrested two suppliers of fuel to Boko Haram insurgents.

Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, said that the Quick Reinforcement Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion,  7 Division Garrison on routine check, arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other goods cleverly covered and concealed at Molai check point, outskirts of Maiduguri at about 8.00am today Tuesday.

He said the driver of the vehicle, one Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo, to explain.

Usman said that Gambo too denied supplying terrorists fuel and other items, rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand.

‪However, he said preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa as alleged.

Although investigations are still ongoing, Usman said it was suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics  in Sambisa forest.

“This is more so that there is a ban on the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers such as that within the theatre.

‪”Both suspects and the exhibits have been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigations”, he said.

In a related development, the DAPR said that a dead body was dropped by an unknown persons and found by Civilian JTF at Ruwan Zafi MM Ali Filling station opposite NNPC Mega Station, along the Mafa-Dikwa road.

“The deceased whose  name was given as  Abba Aminu aged between 35-40, was married with 4 children. He was stabbed with a knife on his chest by his assailants.

‪”The matter was reported to Jere police Station for further investigation, while the body has been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital mortuary”, Usman stated.