The military authorities yesterday said the terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria have been detected in the on-going screening of the 486 suspects napped while travelling in over 33 Hiace Hummer buses at night along Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway last Sunday.
According to a press statement issued by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, “So far, other security agencies including the para-military have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.
Those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.
The statement further said, “The identified terror kingpin has been taken into custody. Further development will be communicated to you in due course”.
Recall that no fewer than 486 people, mostly natives of various states in the North, were on Sunday arrested by soldiers along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.
The travellers, aged between 16 and 35, who were being conveyed in 33 buses, were nabbed by soldiers attached to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Ukwa West, and paraded yesterday as suspected Boko Haram members.
Addressing newsmen on Monday at the headquarters of the 144 Battalion, Asa, where the suspects are being detained, the Battalion Commander, Lt. Colonel Rasheed Omolori, said the men were stopped at a road between Aro-Ngwa and Imo Gate along the expressway.
The soldiers said other buses conveying more persons sped off and escaped arrest when the security operatives tried to halt their movement. There are indications that two bus loads of the suspects managed to escape to Rivers state following the arrest of 486 others on Sunday.
