The Nigerian Army said it has arrested at least 12 persons in connection with acts of terrorism.
The suspects, according to the army, are members of a breakaway group of the Boko Haram insurgents known as Mahmuda.
They are said to have occupied the Kanji Lake National Park and have before now allegedly maimed, exploited, terrorised the area, taking advantage of residents of neighbouring border communities in the Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State and the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu, made this known after a recent visit to the camps in the Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State.
He said the 12 suspects arrested were picked up by the military at various locations in its raid of the Kanji Lake National Park and the border communities.
Two of those arrested were said to be confirmed members of the armed bandit group, while others were said to be accomplices in the criminal act.
He said, “The counterinsurgency operation code-named ‘Park Strike Four’ is meant to, among other things, flush out the bandits and clear the Kanji Lake National Park of all criminal tendencies.
“Through the raid operation, the troops have successfully combed a distance of at least 90 kilometers from Kemanji into the Kanji forest where its firm base is currently situated.
“Both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements”.
Gen Onubogu also visited the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar, and the Head of Kemanji Community known as Shao’ki, Aliyu Siki-Muhammed.
It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, had given the troops a month’s marching order to flush out the bandits.
