Army Major, others arrested for leaking information to Boko Haram

Two officers of the Nigerian army are been held in connection with an alleged sabotage of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East 

The Army had commenced a discreet investigation into the activities of some of its personnel following the Boko Haram attack on troops’ location in Gashigar 

30 suspects, including soldiers, policemen and other civilians, were earlier arrested for collaboration with terrorists

Two officers of the Nigerian army, a major and a captain are been held in connection with an alleged sabotage of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East. According to The Punch, a military source on Wednesday, October 26, said that the Army authorities were intensifying efforts to rid the service of saboteurs in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations. 

The Army commenced a discreet investigations into the telephone conversation of some of the security personnel and their civilian counterparts and uncovered some suspicious activities through the screening following the Boko Haram attack on troops’ location in Gashigar, on Saturday, October 22. 

Col. Sani Usman, the spokesperson of the army in a statement said in a statement that 13 soldiers were wounded during a surprise Boko Haram attack on troops at Gashigar in the north of Borno state, adding that some soldiers were missing after the attack. It was learnt that both President Mohammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, were alarmed by the Gashigar attack, which involved an entire unit. 

A military source said on Wednesday that the Army was intensifying investigation to unravel two established cases against the arrested suspects, which were the leakage of information on troops’ movement to the insurgents and the raising of funds to finance Boko Haram operations through cattle rustling.   

When the acting Army spokesman was contacted he said investigation into the matter was ongoing. He added that the Army would not release information on the matter in view of the fact that there was an ongoing planned rescue operation in the area. 

He said, “Investigation is ongoing and once we conclude, the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.” Usman, who denied reports that 83 soldiers were missing in action, said the military did not lose any soldier to the Gashigar attack. However, he stated that the military suspects would be subject to military laws in accordance with the law.

Recall that 32 Boko Haram informants were arrested according to information released by the Nigerian Army. These 32 arrested collaborators and saboteurs comprise of two army officers, two soldiers, two police officers and 26 civilians. 

A short statement signed by Usman said: “Please be informed the ongoing investigation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists collaborators and saboteurs in the fight against terrorism and insurgency has led to the arrest of nine more persons over the last 24 hours, thus bringing the number to 30; this comprises of two officers, two soldiers, two policemen and 26 civilians.”