The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has announced the arrest of 30 individuals following the discovery of a fish market allegedly operated by the Boko Haram/ Islamic State for West African Province at the outskirts of Lake Chad shores.
Reportedly, the 30 detainees, claiming to be fishermen and farmers, were apprehended within the market.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Chief of Military Public Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’Djamena, Lt.- Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, it was disclosed that during the operations carried out at the Lake Chad Basin between May 17 and 21, the MNJTF troops exposed and made the apprehensions. In addition, no less than 12 terrorists’ hideouts were demolished at different locations during the specified period.
The statement revealed, “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 reported that troops rescued a 12-year-old girl and recovered motorcycles, a Hilux Toyota van, and other items 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.”