The Joint Task Force (JTF) has announced the killing of 50 suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to JTF, they were killed at the weekend in a clash with armed terrorists in Zabarmari ward of Maiduguri metropolis, the state capital. Also, three Boko Haram suspects were arrested by members of Vigilance Youths Group, better known as “Civilian JTF” at the Borno Express Motor Park.
A JTF source revealed that an intelligence report on the regrouping of Boko Haram terrorists in the ward prompted the Military to mobilise troops to the area, engage the terrorists in a gun duel and kill 10 of them. He said the following day, the JTF stormed the place while terrorists were burying the killed 10, and killed another 40.
In a related development, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Sunday urged Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to restore peace to volatile regions of the country.
Speaking at the opening of a conference of Ulamas organised by the Jamaát Nasril Islam (JNI) on promoting peace and unity in Nigeria, Sa’ad condemned the popular
Abubakar noted: “The main aim of our coming together today is to unite our brothers and sisters, especially the Ulamas. There will be peace, and if there is perception of Muslims as a belligerent lot.
“If there is security, definitely, there will be development. What is happening in the northern part of the country is an unfortunate incident,” he said. “I believe it is high time all of us came together and discussed those things that have been pestering our lives as Muslims in this country.”
He said Muslims, just like other citizens of the country, aware of the worries generated by the country’s insecurity challenges, and called for prayers from everyone.
Speaking at the same event, Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Yero advised Islamic scholars to play in the quest to united Muslims with faithful of other religions.
“To bring lasting peace and unity to Nigeria,” he said, “Muslim scholars must commit themselves to preaching peace to the people.”
