Federal Govt admits 486 suspects arrested in Abia were travellers and not Boko Haram members

Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, has explained that the 486 people arrested by security operatives on Sunday, in Abia State, were actually travellers.

Omeri explained at a joint news conference organised by the centre in Abuja that the arrest of the travellers was not targeted at any group or individual, but rather due to the insecurity that pervades the country.

He noted that they were able to identify a man, who had been on the watch list of the Department of State Security Services since 2007, during interrogation of the suspects.

He said, “Clearly, their mission was suspicious and had to be thoroughly investigated.

We therefore appeal for the understanding of the public in allowing our security agencies carry out their legitimate duties,” he added.