Some Boko Haram members flee to Lagos –GOC

GENERAL Officer Com­manding (GOC) 81 Divi­sion of the Nigerian Army, Major General Isidore Edet has disclosed how Boko Haram members are arrest­ed on a daily basis in Lagos and other states.

Edet said this in Lagos, yesterday, at the inter-denominational service organised to commemo­rate the Nigerian Army Celebration Day, at Saint Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ikeja Cantonment.
“Almost on a daily ba­sis, we arrest Boko Haram members that flee into Lagos just like they flee to other places.
“They have seen that the war is being won so they are running. The army in conjunction with other se­curity agencies arrest them almost on a daily basis.
“Initially, they (would) deny when we ask them questions, but, when we probe further, they would reveal where they fought, how they killed soldiers, how they detonated bombs in post office, Maiduguri and so on. By this, we do what we need to do by sending them to the higher authorities to do what the laws and the constitution of Nigeria says it will do with them,’’ he said.
The GOC said officers and soldiers should be thankful to God for wit­nessing another army cele­bration day and added that many colleagues died dur­ing the fight against Boko Haram.
“We have every reason, for those who are still alive, to thank God for giving us victory against Boko Ha­ram. So many others are amputated; some are even using crutches because they fought against Boko Haram so we will have one country.
“About a year ago, we were object of public ridi­cule, those of us in uni­forms, if we talk, the public will say go and fight Boko Haram insurgents and stop making noise.
“But, we thank today that the Almighty God, who trained our hands for war, has taken the shame away. And, now, Nigerians are proud of us again as their soldiers; saying we are at the front line,’’ he said.
The GOC said terror­ism and the insurgency of Boko Haram had taught ev­eryone to be security con­scious, adding that security was everybody’s business.
Edet, on behalf of Presi­dent Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Bu­ratai, wished soldiers and officers a good celebration.