The Nigeria Army On Saturday Established Motorbikers Battalion

The Nigeria Army on Saturday established a motorbike battalion to give teeth to its counter-insurgency war in the Northeast.

The Army also released a poster of another list of 100 suspected members of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram, wanted for various act of terrorism in the country, even as one of the major road leading to Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road closed to traffic for over two years was opened.

The Army had late last year published the first set of 100 suspected members of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram wanted by the Nigerian state.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who launched the Motorbike Battalion of the Nigeria Army at the 25 Task Force Brigade, Damboa, Borno State said the decision for the introduction of the combat motorbike is to ensure that "our roads are safe."

He said the combat motorbike would ensure a force multiplier effect and give the military an edge in the ongoing counter-insurgency war in the North-East.

He said with the introduction of the combat motorbike "our troops will be able to pursue the Boko Haram anywhere."

He added that the reach of the motorbike will be very important and will ensure that we can improve on our successes.

On the reopened road, Buratai said: "The road from Maiduguri through Damboa to Biu are now opened for motorists."

He added that: "The safety on this road is in care of the Brigade Commander of 25 Task Force Brigade. I do not want to hear any attack on this road, motorists plying this road must be safe."

The COAS appealed to the public to come out with information that will assist in the arrest of terrorists, adding that many terrorists in the first list of 100 wanted were identified and arrested.

He said the new list of 100 suspected terrorists is for the members of the public to identify and report their whereabout so that they could be brought to justice.

He said: "The hundred Boko Haram members declared wanted have their faces on the poster. The members of the public should look at the poster very well and report appropriately."

On the reopened Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road, the Secretary of Borno State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Ahmadu Musa, expressed appreciation to the COAS for making it a reality.

He however called for between 20 and 30 checkpoints on the road to ensure effective security.