SAN FRANCISCO, October 23, (THEWILL) – Six members of the Borno State contigent to the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia were nabbed on arrival at the Maiduguri International Airport on Sunday for allegedly belonging to the Boko Haram sect and allegedly engaging in acts of terrorism.
“They were among the first batch of pilgrims that returned to Borno from Saudi on Sunday and were arrested by combined team of police, military personnel, immigration and men of the Department of Security services (DSS) at the airport as soon as they arrived. They were arrested because of their link with Boko Haram,” a security source told THEWILL on Wednesday.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations (DDAPR) of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Captain Aliyu Danja, who confirmed the arrest, said three of the suspects were released after initial investigation showed that they had no case to answer.
“We got information that six suspected Boko Haram members were among the pilgrims that went to Saudi Arabia to perform this year hajj exercise and we picked them up as soon as they arrived. However, three of them have been released after our investigation but the other three are still with us undergoing interrogation, ” Danja disclosed.
He assured that the Nigerian Army was winning the war against terrorism and insurgency, saying efforts were on-going to ensure that normalcy returns to all parts of Borno State.
He stated that consistent patrol has commenced on Maiduguri-Damaturu road as well as other roads in the state, urging residents, travelers and motorists not to be afraid.
He noted that the newly established 7 Division is, in addition to its constitutional role, saddled with the responsibility of tackling the Boko Haram insurgents who, according to him, constitute threat to the unity of the country.
He however called on the people of the state to continue to support the division and other security agencies in the state with credible information that could help in bring the insurgency to a halt.
