Military authorities yesterday disclosed that several Boko Haram fighters injured in gun-battle with security forces have been captured in some parts of Borno State and on the fringes of Lake Chad.
Besides, weapons have been recovered by troops in collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force.
According to a statement by Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, some of those arrested gave useful information.
The statement said: “Scores of wounded terrorists who escaped from various camps under the fire of security forces have been captured in the fringes of Lake Chad.
“The captured terrorists, some of whom are fatally wounded, are already making useful statements to interrogators of the Multi-National Joint Task Force.
“Others were captured by troops in locations around Dikwa, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and Alargarmo.
“In their confessions, it was revealed that some of the camps have been disbanded following the directive of their clerics who declared that the operation of the sect had come to an end as the mission could no longer be sustained”.
The Defence spokesperson also claimed that some of those being interrogated pleaded with troops not to kill them.
The statement added: “The terrorists, who gave useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces, were full of apologies and pleas for their lives to be spared, promising to cooperate.
“They confirmed that starvation was a major problem, in addition to ceaseless bombardments on the camp locations even when they kept relocating.
“They also confirmed that several members of the group have been wounded and no treatment was forthcoming. Troops have continued their assault on other locations across the states covered by the state of emergency”.
The DHQ, however, issued a warning to members of the public against visiting captured camps of Boko Haram for what it termed “sight-seeing”.
It said: “Meanwhile, members of the public who have started visiting to engage in sight seeing in some dislodged camps and fringes of forests, such as Sambisa and others have been warned to desist from doing so as the tendency will no more be condoned where operations are still ongoing.
“The general area still remains a theatre and movement remains restricted as the environment has to be cleared for safety of citizens. The public will be informed when the locations are safe enough”.
