…as Police arrest sect’s butcher

By Joy Baba

Following the massive on-slaught by security forces on the activities of the insurgent group, Boko Haram, at the Balmo Forest in Bauchi state, police detectives attached to Bauchi state Police Command on Saturday, July 12, said they have arrested 30 year-old Mohammed Zakari, a senior member of the Boko Haram terrorists’ organisation, along Darazo-Basrika Road while fleeing from the intensive counter-insurgency operations going on around the Balmo Forest.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mbah said the suspect, who hails from Kaigamari Village, Daptchari in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State is the self-styled “chief butcher” of the insurgent group at the Balmo Forest Camp and is linked with the recent slaughter of seven (7) people, including women and children.

The statement said findings as well as disclosures from the suspect will assist the Law enforcement agencies in tracking down some other members of the terror cell.

“The suspect, whom investigation revealed was tutored in the art of insurgency at Gombe Forest under the leadership of a fleeing insurgent, one Abba Taura and moved to Balmo Forest only three months ago, is discovered to have actively participated in the April attack against Customs officers at Kari Town, along Maiduguri Road, Bauchi state”, the statement said.

Mbah further said the Police High Command is calling on the citizens in the affected areas to be on guard for any suspicious or strange characters fleeing from Balmo Forest.

He also called for the understanding and support of the public for the efforts of the Police and other Security Forces in tackling insurgency, terrorism and other related crimes headlong, adding that although the war on terrorism is unrelenting, it is certainly not insurmountable and must be won with the cooperation of all.