Balmo forest raid: Politicians linked to terrorism under investigation - Omeri

The Federal Government said on Wednesday that some politicians found to have links with terrorist activities in Balmo forest, recently raided by the military, were being investigated.

The Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, said this on Wednesday while giving update on the current security situation in the North-East.

The military had said that the forest, which stretched from Bauchi through Jigawa and linking the fringes of Sambisa in Borno, was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

Omeri said the politicians were being investigated because of the recovery of some sensitive registration cards and materials of a prominent political party found in possession of some of the arrested suspects.

'Investigation is still ongoing to further unravel the identity of others that may have been involved,'' he said.

The coordinator assured that as soon as the investigation was concluded, the names of the politicians and party would be made public.

'Accordingly, we wish to emphasise that the government, particularly the security agencies, will not condone the involvement of politicians in security matters,'' he warned.

Omeri also urged Nigerians to be wary of a recent online media publication targeted at fueling separatist agitations in certain part of the country

'The publications, to say the least, can only succeed in sowing seeds of hatred, rancour and confusion among peace-loving Nigerians,'' he said.

He enjoined citizens to ignore the material, describing those behind it as misguided elements who were bent on truncating the country's democracy.

Omeri said the 'unity of Nigeria is not negotiable''.