Photos: Arrested Boko Haram spies make stunning revelations

The four alleged Boko Haram spies arrested by the Nigerian troops.

Four men suspected of being Boko Haram spies have been arrested by the 33 artillery brigade of the Nigerian army in Bauchi state. Victor Moses, Abubakar Shettima, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Sadiq Madaki were said by the Nigerian army to have been carrying out surveillance missions for the Boko Haram terrorists to target suicide bombings or attacks.


Luck ran out for them when Victor Moses went to a mosque in Bauchi and pretended that he wanted to be converted to Islam but the people there suspected that he was not genuine, and promptly reported the matter. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the army spokesperson, said: “On interrogation, he confirmed that he was working for an Islamic cleric in Gombe (now at large) and that their point of contact was Abubakar Shetima based in Jos. “He confessed to casing targets for suicide bomb attacks including that of the Catholic Church Madalla, Suleja, Niger State on Christmas day, 25th December 2011.

“The accused persons who are currently undergoing further interrogation, were paraded by the Commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Abraham Dusu at the Brigade’s Headquarters, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi on Monday.” In a related development Nigerian soldiers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were in a jubilant mood after the troops successfully recovered Gudumbari town in Borno state from Boko Haram terrorists. The troops under the Armed Forces Special Force (AFSF) reportedly cleared every trace of Boko Haram in Gudumbari, which houses the headquarters of Guzamala local government area of the state.

Gudumbari, one of the remote local government areas in northern Borno state, had been captured by the terrorists and was reclaimed by the military. But the insurgents took possession of the area back and became ‘landlords’ after the soldiers had left. However, the troops rallied again on Tuesday, March 1, to recapture the place from the resilient terrorists, a development which was said to have resulted in massive celebrations and jubilation in the region.

Colonel Usman, the army spokesperson, while confirming the development via a press statement, said: “​I​t was i​n continuation of the clearance of the remnants of recalcitrant members of Boko Haram terrorists in the various nooks and corners of the north east, the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) carried out successful clearance of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in Gudumbali general area.” One of the IDPs in the area, ​Aisami Goni, from Guzamala also expressed his joy at the new development, saying: “We give glory to God for the good news we are hearing about soldiers’ victory over Boko Haram terrorists in Guumbari; now our hope of going back home is assured.” The four arrested suspects may be among those whose names and photos were released by the Nigerian army, among another set of 100 most wanted Boko Haram terrorists. The new list was made public by the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, during the induction of the combat motorbike battalion at the headquarters of 25 Task Force Brigade, Damboa, Borno state. While inducting the unit, Buratai also stated that the essence of the battalion is to open and secure motorways from various towns to and from Maiduguri and parts of Yobe state.