The Nigerian Army following the success recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force and, Operation LAFIYA DOLE where a combined efforts of artillery and air bombardments of suspected hideouts of erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP at the Tumbus of Lake Chad region that neutralized many including key commanders, have warned Nigerians not to harbour fleeing and injured insurgents, but to report them to authorities.
The statement by the Nigerian Army released on Saturday 21st September 2019 on the injured insurgents reads:
“Following military’s unrelenting onslaught on the BHT/ISWAP hideouts, along the Lake Chad region and Northern Borno, credible information reaching the Headquarters of Theatre Command OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) indicates that some of the surviving criminals/injured insurgents are seeking refuge in the homes of some unscrupulous individuals in some parts of Borno and Yobe States.
These fugitives (injured insurgents) have been escaping and taking refuge in the residence of some persons in Maiduguri, Damboa, Gajiram, Monguno, Damasak, Biu, Gwoza Dikwa, Benisheikh, Ngamdu, Bama, Gamboru, Konduga, Gajigana and other smaller towns all in Borno State. Others have also ran to Damaturu, Gujba, Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Gashua, Kanamma, Yususufari, Goniri and Kukareta towns in Yobe State, among others.
While we are making concerted efforts to trace and fish out the fleeing criminals, it is important to inform and warn all those harbouring the fleeing fugitives to report or hand them to the troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE immediately. Failure to do that would attract severe consequences.
The Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE wish to enjoin all well meaning Nigerians, especially those residing in aforementioned areas, to report any suspicious and strange faces in their communities.
The public is please encouraged to report such suspicious persons through our ireport platform on www.army.mil.ng or our toll free short code 193 (using any network), or any OF the following special phone numbers dedicated for reporting BHT/ISWAP activities: +2347017222225,
+2348077444303, +2348099900131 and +2349060005290. Please report these criminals before they kill you”.