Troops arrest ‘repentant terrorist’ for ‘facilitating’ attacks on soldiers

A ‘repentant Boko Haram fighter’, Ba’ana Bdiya was arrested following a bombing that killed some soldiers.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the suspect also known as “Manci” was arrested by troops from Operation Hadin Kai for donating details of the movement of troops to the terrorists on March 16.

JIntelligence shared by Manci led to the ambush of soldiers who were attacked with an improvised explosive device (IED). Three soldiers were reportedly killed and four others injured on the outskirts of Banki town in Borno state during the ambush.

It has also been reported that Manci had also passed on similar information in February to Boko Haram fighters who had successfully ambushed troops during combat patrols in Ngauri. The intelligence led to the killing of some soldiers.

Military sources told the publication;

“Ba’ana was one of thousands of Boko Haram who laid down their arms and were accepted by society after undergoing rehabilitation. But although he renounced his membership in the terrorist group, he maintained close contact with his former colleagues.

“This is less than a week after two other ex-militants, Goni Farouq and Amir Zabu, (the executioner) who were former commanders of Boko Haram, were intercepted in a telephone conversation, planning attacks against the troops.

“The real obstacle between the troops and the total and final annihilation of the Boko Hama terrorists is the nefarious activities of the local network of informers.

“It is feared that the continued release of repentant terrorists into society without proper de-radicalization could undo the progress made so far in the war against insurgency.”