The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Farouk Yahaya has warned individuals and communities against ‘harbour and support’ of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno. According to him, terrorists and other criminal elements had been collaborating with Boko Haram to launch attacks on targeted communities and roads. Operation Lafiya Dole Spokesman, Col. Ado Isa in a statement Friday in Maiduguri, disclosed that; “the level of collaboration and support range from; providing information and intelligence on troops and civilians to logistic supplies and trading with terrorists.” He said the trading is in supply of food items, fuel, automobile and motorcycle spare parts to insurgents’ hideouts in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region. According to him; “Benisheikh, Jakana, Mainok, Magumeri, Gajiram and Gubio communities along the Maiduguri/Damaturu/Monguno/Damasak roads, have been identified to be harbouring terrorists.” He said terrorists’ activities are “unpatriotic and heartless” to the people by attacking and kidnapping them in their communities and roads. He noted that this accounted for the high rates of Boko Haram activities and general insecurity that resulted into enormous casualties in 10 harbouring communities and roads. He therefore warned individuals and communities involved in the dastardly acts to stop them forthwith. “Anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law; as we will not tolerate anyone sabotaging our counter-terrorism and insurgency operations in the state,” he warned. He added that the Army may be compelled to come out hard on any community or groups that continue to support or collaborate with terrorists in any way or form. Continued, he added: “Your acts of creating a buffer or harbour zone for criminals will be dealt with decisively. “We also wish to warn all groups or communities hobnobbing with Boko Haram/ISWAP to sever such relations.” Warning that the military will take drastic action against defaulters.
