The Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has announced the uncovering of a fish market operated by the Boko Haram/ Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the fringes of the Lake Chad shores, saying they arrested 30 of the terrorists who claim to be fishermen and farmers at the market.
Chief of Military Public Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’Djamena, Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke, said in a statement over the weekend that troops of MNJTF uncovered and made the arrest during operations embarked on at the Lake Chad Basin between May 17 and 21.
He added that no fewer than 12 terrorists’ enclaves were destroyed at different locations during the period under review.
According to the statement: “Troops of Task Force Kangarwa, comprising Nigerian and the Chadian Troops of Operation Hadin Kai/MNJTF commenced aggressive clearance operations from Monguno on May 17 to 21 and have so far cleared the settlements of Grada, Kwatan Maishayi, Daban Karfe, Daban Gajere, Tumbun Buhari, Tunbun Abuja, Sabon Tunbu, Ali Sherifti, Doron Naira, and Daban Masara, among others. No contact was made with the criminals who ran away from these enclaves.
“Items found include packed fish in several cartons, several smoked fish, assorted grains, household items, and a motorcycle.
“In line with MNJTF standard of operations, the enemy camps were destroyed and items were properly burnt. About 30 young men who claimed to be fishermen and farmers were arrested in the Doron Naira area and are being profiled and interrogated to ascertain their culpability or otherwise.”
Adegoke also said the troops rescued a 12-year-old girl and recovered motorcycles, and a Hilux Toyota van among others during a separate operation in Ali Jimari, Dogon Chuku, and Tunbum Rago.
It added, “From May 17 to 22, troops of the MNJTF Firm Base in Arege carried out clearance operations to the Ali Jimari, Dogon Chuku, and Tunbum Rago areas.
“Troops sighted some motorcycles and an old Hilux Toyota van suspected to be Boko Haram/ ISWAP criminals, and a hot pursuit led them to the location where the criminals ran away and abandoned the items.
“The two motorcycles and the old Hilux Toyota van were burnt in the location. Similarly, in a separate incident, a young Fulani girl named Salamatu, aged 12 was found by this task force team wandering in the bush. She claimed to be from Darge Kessa Village in Abadam Local Government Area. After necessary profiling, she will be handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”