JTF kills Boko Haram deputy leader

Momogu Bama, the second-in-command of the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram has been killed by  the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State.

Momogu had a  N25m  bounty put on his head by security agencies for information that could lead to his arrest.

He met his death the same day with his  father,   Alhaji Abatcha Flatari, described as one of the spiritual leaders of the sect  in an operation  between the sect members and the JTF operatives in Bama.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen Chris Olukolade, who confirmed his killing, described him as a vicious Boko Haram leader who took delight in personally slaughtering  the sect's victims.

He added that  Momogu  was the expert  in charge of  mounting  anti-aircraft weapons for  the sect and coordinating  members  in Yobe and Adamawa  states.

Olukolade said in an electronic mail on Wednesday to one of our correspondents that Momogu was identified by insurgents arrested during one of the recent encounters between the JTF  and the insurgents in Bama.

He said, 'As troops intensify pursuit of terrorists who have been unleashing mayhem in Borno and Yobe communities, the death of Momogu  Bama, said to be the Second-in-Command to  Shekau  has been confirmed by other arrested terrorists. This followed encounters with the terrorists around the Bama corridor.

'Momogu Bama personally led the attacks against troops and innocent citizens in the communities of Yobe and Adamawa.  A specialist in manning the anti-aircraft guns of the group, he is known to be vicious and heartless with a penchant for personally slaughtering and executing  victims.

'Momogu Bama has been a most wanted terrorist with a N25m bounty already placed on his head.'

Olukolade, who  added that  the JTF had intensified aerial patrol to secure  communities  in Borno and Yobe states, said   that  17  insurgents were  killed and  24 arrested during the Bama  encounter.

'Others that died in the operation included Momogu's father, Alhaji  Flatari, who is also one of the spiritual guiding lights of the outlawed terrorists group.  Seventeen  other terrorists also lost their lives in the encounter  while 24 were arrested.''

He said  the JTF had intensified aerial patrol to secure communities in  the two states.

'The troops are continuing the pursuit of the terrorists while intensifying aggressive aerial and land patrols to ensure better security cover for the communities especially in the two states,' he  said in the  statement.