In a related development, as the news continued to spread about the possible killing of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, or his body double who security forces insist has been impersonating the “real” Shekau for over a year, members of the terror sect have been thrown into disarray and are surrendering in droves to the Nigerian military.
Whereas the security agencies are yet to officially name or confirm the names of some of the senior members of the sect who were said to have been killed or captured in recent operations in Konduga, Borno State, including Shekau or his alleged imposter, more suspected insurgents have continued to surrender and hand over their weapons to the troops.
According to a statement issued on the Defence Headquarter's (DHQ) twitter handle, 10 more sect members surrendered yesterday to the Nigerian security forces at Kawuri, Borno State, and have since been taken into custody for further interrogation.
The statement read: “Another set of 10 terrorists yesterday surrendered to troops at #Kawuri. In custody for necessary security debriefing #VictoryforNigeria.”
A blood battle had ensued between members of the sect and Nigerian troops in Kawuri about two weeks ago, leaving over 50 terrorists dead.
It is believed that some 40 terrorists including those from Konduga have so far surrendered to the military.
Military Debunks Cameroun’s Claim
However, the unconfirmed death of the Boko Haram leader or his impostor has continued to generate controversy as Camerounian authorities were alleged to have claimed responsibility for the killing of the terrorist henchman.
Camerounian authorities yesterday released a photo of a dead man they identified as Shekau, the loquacious and attention-seeking leader of the terrorist group that has launched deadly strikes in Nigeria’s North-east zone as well as Cameroun.
But the claim, which went viral, attracted the attention of the Nigerian Defence authorities, which quickly debunked the rumour.
The DHQ through its twitter account described the claim by Cameroun as untrue.
The military authorities said: “There was no raid whatsoever by Cameroun or any foreign forces in any part of Nigeria’s territory in pursuit of terrorists as claimed in some reports allegedly quoting Cameroun military authorities.
“All operations ongoing in the environs of Konduga and all associated border locations within the country are completely being undertaken by Nigerian troops.”
Troops Shoot Indiscriminately in Yola
Meanwhile, pandemonium broke out at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday when some soldiers on patrol shot into the air a few meters away from the institution.
The development caused panic in the school and its environs, as students and other passersby were reported to have scrambled for safety. In the melee that ensured, some of the students sustained various degrees of injuries.
An eyewitness, who spoke to THISDAY on the issue, revealed that the soldiers were part of the troops drafted to fight the insurgents in Mubi, Michika, Gulak and Madagali of Adamawa State.
The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said he was about to board a bus when he and other intending passengers heard sporadic gunshots, compelling them to run for their lives.
He said several vehicles were badly damaged in the process of trying to escape from the gunshots.
It also led to a traffic snarl in the area and many people sustained injuries, he revealed.
“See how our vehicles are now damaged and not one among the soldiers deemed it fit to say sorry, they just zoomed off. Only in Nigeria would you see security operatives firing shots unprovoked. They are just trigger happy,” said Ambrose Anthony, a student of FCE, Yola.
Another eyewitness, named Abdulazeez, said: “We have to run for our lives, fearing that it was Boko Haram insurgents that have taken over the state capital.”
Abdulazeez, who sustained an injury, said students were injured while scampering for their lives, particularly female students who were about to enter the college.
Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the college, Mallam Bashir Abdullahi, said the shooting incident did not take place in the college but was nearby.
“Yes, we heard that during the show of force displayed by the soldiers, there was shooting into the air. But I cannot confirm whether there was any loss of lives or not,” he said.
Efforts to get the army spokesman, Captain Jafaru Nuhu, proved abortive as
he did not pick his phones.
Nonetheless, security operatives were said to have arrested five suspected members of Boko Haram in the internally displaced persons (IDPs)camp in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Police spokesman, Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Haa, confirmed the arrest of some high-risk criminals at the IDPs camp in the state capital.
He said the police were yet to unveil the true identity of the suspects, clarifying that the suspects were high-risk criminals and were being investigated.
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