Ex-Army Officer, A Colonel, Arrested In Boko Haram Operation

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Attahiru

Boko Haram has always enjoyed insider support and that explains why their deadly operations are most times successful. A lieutenant colonel (rtd), who was said to have led the Boko Haram attacks on Damaturu, Yobe State, on Thursday has been arrested with other Boko Haram agents by security forces.

The retired army officer, who is being detained at a military facility, was arrested during the operation.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim, put the casualty figure on the part of the insurgents at 70 in a statement that was silent on the number of soldiers killed in the attack.

It was however, learnt that nine soldiers including a lieutenant and four policemen lost their lives in the attack.

“The retired lieutenant colonel was properly discharged from the Army and it was a big surprise when he was arrested and identified by those who knew him as a former officer,” an Army source said.

Reacting to the development, Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said:

“We are capable of dealing with it [Boko Haram] decisively. We will continue to do the required adjustment both in approach and structure to respond appropriately and ensure that our duty to defend the country and the citizenry is discharged effectively.”