The
Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to
Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.
A
statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said
the suspect was arrested at Molai check point in the outskirt of Maiduguri at
about 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
He added
that the suspect was arrested with a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of petrol
and other goods cleverly covered in cartons.
Usman
said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had for long engaged
in supply of fuel and other goods to terrorists in Sambisa.
He said:
“the Quick Response Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison on
routine check arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of PMS and other
goods.
“The PMS
and other goods were cleverly covered and concealed in the truck.
“The
driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of
the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.
“He too
denied supplying the terrorists’ fuel and other items. Rather he claimed to be
a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand.
“However,
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.
“Although
investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means
through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in
Sambisa forest."
Usman
said authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of
petrol in containers in Borno and its environs.
He said
both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to Joint Interrogation
Centre for further investigation.
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