Military Intercepts Ransom Payment to Boko Haram Terrorists

The Nigerian military has intercepted a ransom payment to
suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

A statement issued yesterday by the acting Director of Defence
Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, said on November 17,
2020, troops of the 251 Task Force Battalion deployed in Strong
Response Area (SRA) Molai, acting on credible intelligence,
intercepted some Boko Haram criminals and relations of some
kidnapped persons making efforts to pay a ransom of N2 million to
the terrorists.

The statement stated: “In a swift reaction, the gallant troops
engaged the Boko Haram criminals forcing them to abort the
collection of the payment as well as abandon their captives, in the
aftermath of the decisive encounter.

“One Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist was neutralised while others
escaped with gunshot wounds. An AK 47 rifle and a motorcycle were
recovered. The victims, including two women and three children,
were all rescued unhurt.

“In another development, on November 17, 2020, troops of 151
Battalion conducted an aggressive fighting patrol to clear Boko
Haram criminals’ hideout in the general area of Zaye Ngusa
village.

The eagle-eyed troops spotted the criminals and engaged them
with superior fire power forcing them to withdraw in disarray as
blood littered their escape paths. One terrorist was
neutralised.

“Same day, troops of 202 Battalion conducted a successful ambush
operation along one of the criminals crossing point leading to the
neutralisation of one Boko Haram criminal, while several others are
believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds
under the cover of darkness.”

The statement further said: “Similarly, on November 15, 2020,
troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in SRA Pulka in a well-coordinated
ambush operation on Pulka-Sabon Gari-Kirawa Road, intercepted Boko
Haram logistics convoy.

“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them with gun
fire forcing them to flee and abandon their consignments. Items
recovered from them were eight bicycles, several bags of grains,
assorted packets of drugs and other food items.”

The Nigerian military has intercepted a ransom payment to
suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

A statement issued yesterday by the acting Director of Defence
Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, said on November 17,
2020, troops of the 251 Task Force Battalion deployed in Strong
Response Area (SRA) Molai, acting on credible intelligence,
intercepted some Boko Haram criminals and relations of some
kidnapped persons making efforts to pay a ransom of N2 million to
the terrorists.

The statement stated: “In a swift reaction, the gallant troops
engaged the Boko Haram criminals forcing them to abort the
collection of the payment as well as abandon their captives, in the
aftermath of the decisive encounter.

“One Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist was neutralised while others
escaped with gunshot wounds. An AK 47 rifle and a motorcycle were
recovered. The victims, including two women and three children,
were all rescued unhurt.

“In another development, on November 17, 2020, troops of 151
Battalion conducted an aggressive fighting patrol to clear Boko
Haram criminals’ hideout in the general area of Zaye Ngusa
village.

The eagle-eyed troops spotted the criminals and engaged them
with superior fire power forcing them to withdraw in disarray as
blood littered their escape paths. One terrorist was
neutralised.

“Same day, troops of 202 Battalion conducted a successful ambush
operation along one of the criminals crossing point leading to the
neutralisation of one Boko Haram criminal, while several others are
believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds
under the cover of darkness.”

The statement further said: “Similarly, on November 15, 2020,
troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in SRA Pulka in a well-coordinated
ambush operation on Pulka-Sabon Gari-Kirawa Road, intercepted Boko
Haram logistics convoy.

“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them with gun
fire forcing them to flee and abandon their consignments. Items
recovered from them were eight bicycles, several bags of grains,
assorted packets of drugs and other food items.”