Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s in-laws arrested

The troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) made a major breakthrough following the recent arrest of the parents-in-law of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, as well as several leaders of the sect including one of its kingpins who was killed in the course of battle with the military.

This was disclosed Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, at a briefing by the Joint Security Services Public Information Committee comprising the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the State Security Service (SSS).

He said: “Abubakar Shekau’s parents-in-law were picked up in the raid which also unearthed various audio recordings of terrorists messages.

Recoveries are made almost on daily basis as the operation progresses, he added.

“The media have had opportunity to inspect some of the items recovered from the camps. The recoveries among others included eight AK47 assault rifles, one G3 rifle, nine AK47 magazines, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) charger, five RPGs, three FMC magazines, one G3 magazine, 14 improvised explosive devices and 166 rounds of 7.62mm specials.

“Others are three 35mm bazookas; 34 rounds of 5.56mm, 1,740 rounds of 303 inch, 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO, one round of .50mm, one dane gun, one locally made pistol and two mega phones,” he said.

He also said the detained women and minors linked to the Boko Haram insurgents were released in “keeping with presidential directive”.

“A total of 58 detainees linked to Boko Haram insurgents have been released in Borno and Yobe States. This comprised 23 women and 35 children.

“Some of the teenagers confessed that they were conscripted to run errands for the terrorists who paid them a paltry N5,000 to monitor troops and set public buildings ablaze.

“The women and children were handed over to the governors of Borno and Yobe States for onward rehabilitation and reintegration,” he added.

Olukolade said based on the mandate of President Goodluck Jonathan, the forces were mandated to destroy all terrorist camps/bases, apprehend perpetrators and bring them to justice.