To forestall any breach of security in Lagos State, especially in the light of intelligence report that some dislodged Boko Haram sect members are relocating to the South-West, personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) have been placed on high alert in strategic areas and flash points.

This is just as the Army in the last seven months has arrested about 54 members of the sect in different operations in Lagos and recovered as many as 14 explosives, AK47 rifles and various types of ammunition from the arrested suspects.

The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of the NA, Major General Obi Umahi, made this disclosure in an interview with journalists during the change of guard to mark his handing over to his successor, Major General TI Dibi.

It would be recalled that the Army had not long ago arrested over 60 Boko Haram suspects who had sneaked into the state after being dislodged from the North-East.

Umahi urged his successor never to work on the assumption that elements of Boko Haram sect are not within the command's Area of Responsibility (AOR), adding that he should keep watch round the clock and ensure that his alertness level remains high.

Umahi said one of his trying moments as GOC 81 Division was the realities of the existence of Boko Haram elements within Lagos and Ogun States, which are within the commands area of responsibility.

He said: “The most trying moment for me was the point we realised that we were already living with Boko Haram elements. Though we had always assumed they could be around, the realities did not dawn on us until we made the first arrest of 12 suspects.

“At that point, we had to expand our dragnets and spread out networks to garner as many within as possible. This proved a tedious challenge for us but, at the end, we were able to mop 42 of them up. So, I can say that I am leaving Lagos safer than I met it.”

He added: “While some of the initial 12 were set free after screening from the State Security Service (SSS), others are currently facing trial with exhibits such as 14 explosives, AK47 rifles and various types of ammunition, among others.

“The 42 who were subsequently arrested by the command have been profiled, screened and are awaiting trial by the appropriate authorities.

“They did not come to us as well prepared military intelligence but as rumour. All the same, we do not leave any information lying down. We have acted in response to it and the signs are evident in all military formations.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s military says it has closed hundreds of miles (kilometres) of its northeastern border with Cameroon to stop Islamic extremists using the country as a haven and launch pad for attacks.

Brig. Gen. Rogers Nicholas of the 23rd Armored Brigade told reporters yesterday he was exercising emergency powers because it is “imperative” to seal the border between Cameroon and Nigeria’s Adamawa state against illegal crossings.

He said customs and immigration officials are working with soldiers and police “to ensure that nothing crosses into Nigeria.” Large stretches of that porous border are generally left unpatrolled.

The border between Borno state and Cameroon, which Nigerian troops and a jet bomber crossed last month in pursuit of extremists, apparently remains open.

The move will affect hundreds of traders who routinely cross the border

•Story based on THISDAY and AFP reports. Photo shows Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.