The Nigerian Army has arrested at least twelve individuals in connection with terrorism committed by a breakaway faction of Boko Haram insurgents, known as ‘Mahmuda’, which allegedly occupied the Kanji Lake National Park.
The group has reportedly terrorized and exploited residents in neighboring border communities in the Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara State and Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, causing significant harm.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Obinna Onubogu, who recently visited the camps in Kaiama and Baruten LGAs in Kwara State, shared this update on Saturday. His visit aimed to assess the situation and gather firsthand information on the operation’s progress.
Onubogu explained that the twelve suspects were arrested during military raids in the Kanji Lake National Park and the surrounding border communities. “Two of the arrested individuals are confirmed members of an armed bandit group, while the others are suspected accomplices in the criminal activities,” he said.
The operation, named ‘Park Strike Four’, is focused on clearing the Kanji Lake National Park of criminal activities and eliminating the bandits.
The GOC assured that the troops are committed to restoring peace in the area. “The operation has successfully covered a 90-kilometer stretch from Kemanji into the Kanji Forest, where the military now maintains a strong base,” Onubogu stated.
While on his visit, Onubogu also met with the Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Sheu Omar, and the Head of Kemanji Community, Shao’ki Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, where he encouraged the locals and boosted their morale.
It’s important to note that the Chief of Army Staff had previously issued a one-month directive for the troops to clear the bandits. In line with these orders, the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army has deployed forces to search the border communities of Kwara and Niger States, as well as the Kanji Lake Forest, for those responsible for threatening innocent lives in the region.
