It was a big setback for Boko Haram on Sunday, October 20, 2019, when combined troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, 21 Special Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army and elements of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), while acting on a piece of intelligence, conducted a sting operation against terrorists hibernating around Pulka general area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“The operation,” according to Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, “led to the arrest of 16 active Boko Haram members. Preliminary investigation reveals that some of the arrested suspects participated in the heinous attack on Pulka and Gwoza including the barbaric execution of some Nigeria Police personnel sometime ago.”

Iliyasu in a statement on Monday said it is “heart-warming to mention that two of the arrested Boko Haram criminals have been on the Nigerian Army most wanted Boko Haram list earlier published on Serials 41 and 90.”

He gave the names of the arrested suspects as follows: Lawan Abubakar Umar Garliga and Bayaga Manye ( on serial 41 and 90 respectively of the Nigerian Army most wanted Boko Haram list), Alhaji Umaru (a Boko Haram Logistics Supplier), Goni Agwala (Boko Haram Logistics supplier), Momodu Shetene (Boko Haram Logistics Supplier and bicycles repairer), Hassan Audu (Boko Haram Logistic Supplier), Usman Manye AKA Yega ( Boko Haram Logistics supplier ), Ali Lawan (Boko Haram Logistics supplier) and Modu Mallum (Boko Haram Logistics supplier). Others are, Modu Abubakar Jugudum, Bulama Ali, Umar Usman, Mustapha Alhaji Mele (Boko Haram Rifle man and vulcanizer), Abor Lassan, Mallum Ari and Mala Bala.

“Following the massive success recorded by the troops during the sting operation, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has commended the Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maj Gen Olusegun Adeniyi as well as the officers and men of Operation LAFIYA DOLE for this commendable feat in service of their fatherland. He also enjoined them to continue to sustain the pressure on the criminals and ensure there is no hiding place for them and their collaborators,” the statement further said.

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