Army Detain Hundreds Of Suspected Boko Members In Abia

SAN FRANCISCO, June 16, (THEWILL) - Soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Abia State Monday announced the seizure of 486 suspected members (see photo) of the terrorist Boko Haram who were travelling in a convoy of 33 buses.

Their detention happened a few hours before security personnel foiled an attempt to blow up a church in Imo State on Sunday morning.

The vehicles conveying the suspected Boko Haram members were intercepted between Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along the Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway in Abia State. Eight of those detained are believed to be females.

Briefing newsmen at the Headquarters of the 144 Battalion of the Army, Asa where the suspects are being detained, alongside the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa and Commander of the military base, Lieutenant Colonel Rasheed Omolori, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abia State, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, explained that two buses alongside their occupants managed to escape.

The suspects believed to be from different parts of northern Nigeria were intercepted around 3am on Sunday. Their ages were put between 16 - 24 years. They said they were migrating in search of jobs but were unable to say where exactly they were headed fueling suspicions they were being moved to various locations in Eastern Nigeria as members of a sleeper cell of the Boko Haram.

Dr. Chikamnayo said the Army and other security agencies in the state were working to unravel the actual mission of the suspects and those behind the movement.

Lt. Colonel Omolori said he had briefed the Defence Headquarters on the arrests.