Boko Haram Engages
Boko Haram Engages in Deceptive Cattle-Rustling for
Propaganda- Army
The Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major General Benson
Akinroluyo has uncovered the employment of deception by Boko Haram
terrorists to win the confidence and support of locals in the North
East. General Akinroluyo raised the alarm while addressing troops
of Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE during a three-day operational
tour of the sector’s area of responsibility that lasted from
Thursday 31 January to Saturday 2 February 2019.
The Theatre Commander disclosed further, that Boko Haram
terrorists now engage in cattle rustling and later return the
rustled cattle to their owners, thereby deceitfully creating the
impression of ” the Good Samaritan” and presenting themselves as a
“protector of the people”. He described the gimmick as a dangerous
ploy that must be nipped in the bud, before it spirals out of
control. The Commander urged the troops to prevent any form of
cattle rustling by the insurgents, as it is now being used as a
means of psychological warfare to make the locals see them in
positive light and be receptive to their ideology.
General Akinroluyo also called on all community and opinion
leaders to educate members of their communities on the development,
adding, that they must be vigilant and not fall for the wiles of
the terrorists. He added, that while cattle rustling has been
earlier identified as a means of raising funds for Boko Haram
terrorists, another use for cattle rustling has been invented by
the terrorists, which they carry out by first stealing the cattle
and later returning same to their owners to make the locals believe
they are pious and possibly turn blind eyes to the nefarious
activities of the terrorists. He therefore urged the people of the
North East, particularly the youth, not to be persuaded to join the
terrorists group describing it as the enemy of the people.
The Theatre Commander accompanied by the Commander Sector 2,
Brigadier General Mohammed Dala also visited the troops in Nigerian
Army Special Forces School and 27 Task Force Brigade both in Buni
Yadi, as well as 159 and 233 Battalions in Geidam and Damaturu
respectively, where he assured the troops that their operational
challenges and welfare are getting adequate attention. He also paid
a visit to in-patient troops undergoing medical treatment at the
Sector 2 Field Ambulance.
Speaking further during his address to the troops, General
Akinroluyo charged them to remain professional and alive to their
responsibilities in the onslought against the insurgents, urging
them to be resilient until the attainment of a decisive defeat.
Please disseminate this information to the general public
through your medium.
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations
Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE