NIGERIA: JTF Kills Boko Haram Leaders in Maiduguri

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order Thursday said it had killed two suspected commanders of Boko Haram in Maiduguri, Borno State.

JTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the suspects were top commanders of the group in-charge of Yobe and Adamawa States

"Two suspected Boko Haram top terrorists commanders were killed along Maiduguri-Kano road as they tried to escape on Wednesday. The suspects were top commanders coordinating activities of the sect in Mubi and Yola in Adamawa and in Yobe States," Musa said.

He added that the duo were trailed by a combined team of security operatives for many hours before they attempted to escape. "The suspects were on their way to Damaturu for a planned special operation to attack civilians and military locations.

"Intelligence reports also indicated that they were planning to conduct an attack on Maiduguri soon."

Musa said a number of items including weapons and a Honda salon car were recovered from them maintaining that the JTF had also arrested eight suspected members of the group in an earlier operation in Maiduguri.

"Also the JTF arrested eight suspected members of the sect in earlier operations in Garannam, GRA and Lawanti areas of Maiduguri on Wednesday, and those arrested were confirmed to have found their way to Maiduguri from neighbouring states," he noted.

The JTF Spokesman added that several items were also recovered from them including "a silver coloured Toyota Camry 1998 model with Yobe State registration number.

.............SUNDAY OKOBI/THIS DAY/ALL AFRICA