The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, at the weekend arrested a terror suspect (names withheld) in Hausari ward of the metropolis on Dandal Way at about 2.30 p.m. Friday.
Hausari ward, according to JTF sources, is one of the 14 black spot areas identified by the security task force since July, 2011. The terror suspect, according to eyewitness on came on a bicycle to a shop and bought a Coca-Cola drink; and started taking it among other people that just returned from Jumat prayers at Shehu of Borno’s palace mosque.
The source said, “unknown to the suspect, four people in unmarked Honda vehicle immediately alerted the JTF on the ‘presence and exact location’ of the suspected informant on Dandal way taking his drink, and 750 metres to the Shehu’s palace.”
An anonymous resident of Hausari also confirmed to Sunday Mirror that the arrested suspect is an informant to the Boko Haram sect that collates information on JTF’s patrolling strategy and various military posts in Hausari, Mafoni and Lawan Bukar wards of Maiduguri.
He said the arrested suspect uses bicycle to crisscross the nook and cranny of the three wards to collate information for the Islamist sect instead of using the conventional vehicle.
“He gives out information to the sect before they target any military posts and other public buildings, such as schools and popular bus stops with high population.” The soldiers, according to him, rushed to Dandal Way at about 2.35pm and arrested the suspect, by tying his hands to the back.
“They also removed all personal belongings from his pockets, including his handsets that he allegedly uses in relaying all the collated information on JTF operations and likely contacts and targets to be attacked.”
He said even though the suspect did not resist arrest of soldiers, he, however, pleaded at the scene of arrest saying, “Oga, for God’s sake, don’t arrest me now, because I am not the only member of Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri.”
When contacted on phone on the incident, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa’s phone number was not reachable. The line remained dead as at the time of filing in this report. But a top security agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest of the suspected informant.
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