Metro

Buratai says herdsmen likely affiliated to Boko Haram

Published

8 years ago

May 27, 2016

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, may have confirmed the worst fears of Nigerians, as he said on Thursday that the attacks on villagers and farmers in many parts of the country by herdsmen may be due to likely affiliation with members of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Buratai stated this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun, adding that the army is investigating the herdsmen and also pursuing them so that their menace could be addressed.

“We want to call on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to report any suspicious persons or group of people that are roaming about in their communities.

“One may not be too far from the fact that some of these herdsmen that are attacking communities across the country may have some affiliation with the Boko Haram terrorists.

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“This we are further investigating and also pursuing them so that we can address the situation, so let’s be security conscious. Let’s report quickly movement of suspicious persons carrying arms especially.

“If you suspect any individual within your community, we should be able to report immediately. Timely information is very important. We have our troops deployed in certain areas and I believe the Police are working with them to be able to tackle any challenge that comes in from them,” Buratai said.

The Army chief also dispelled rumours that members of the Boko Haram sect captured a village when they attacked a small community in Borno state few days ago.

According to him, Nigerian troops responded swiftly and chased them away.

He said: “They didn’t capture any village. They went and attacked a small community in Borno State and our troops responded appropriately and we will continue to pursue them wherever they are”, Buratai said.

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