“His revelations before he killed himself however, led to the arrest of some other suspects, and many are believed to be among the troops in both Gombe and Geidam battalions. However, investigation is in progress to unravel other culprits who were working with him within the army”.
Infiltrators identified
Before Jibrin was uncovered, a soldier, Lance Corporal Sanni Mohammed was arrested at a motor park with 2,000 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition. Lance Corporal Mohammed who was said to be attached to 198 Special Forces Battalion was arrested at the Borno Express park in Maiduguri by officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as he was about to board a bus to FCT.
NURTW officials later handed over the suspect to the police where he told the interrogators that he sourced the ammunition from a broken-down vehicle in his unit.
Other items found in his possession were a 3-day excuse duty and two reports of hospital test. The army had since told the police that the soldier was not issued a pass or given medical leave to travel.
Military sources said the Army was waiting for the Borno State Police Command to conclude its investigation and hand over the soldier to the army for its own detailed investigation of the matter.
The soldier’s arrest came about a month after the Zamfara State Government disclosed that a Nigerian soldier and his girlfriend were caught supplying ammunition and military uniforms to armed bandits in the state.
In other instances, two Nigerian soldiers, Sergeant Alhaji Oloche (05NA/56/1435) and CPL Namo Daniel (09NA/62/1097) attached to the Security Outfit in Kaduna, Operation Yaki, were arrested in March for alleged kidnapping.
Another soldier attached to Headquarters 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Danladi Hadau (20NA/79/4219), was arrested with two members of vigilante, identified as Mustapha Kasim and Ibrahim Mohammed for collaborating with bandits. They were arrested while attempting to collect ransom on Dumbi Dutse Road in Zaria after orchestrating the abduction of a resident of Dorayi village in Zaria Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Lawal Ahmed on March 3, 2022
After they kidnapped the man, they demanded a ransom before his release and while waiting to collect the ransom at a meeting point on Dumbi Dutse Road in Zaria, they were all arrested.
The three soldiers were being detained at a military facility in Kaduna while the two vigilantes were handed over to the police.
The biggest casualty of collaboration with terrorists was Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, the Commander of the 28 Task Force Brigade/Special Forces who was killed at Askira Uba by ISWAP terrorists who got information about his movement to reinforce troops to wipe out BHT/ISWAP and prevent Askira Uba from falling into the hands of the terrorists.
The terrorists were said to have arrived the town with a massive arsenal of movable weapons and high caliber equipment with which to overrun troops but the soldiers stood their ground. Brigadier General Zirkusu and some soldiers were killed in the fierce encounter.
A combined operation was then launched involving the Air Component of OPHK and ground troops with the deployment of alpha jets and combat trucks, two A-29 artillery weapons, two Dragon combat vehicles and nine Gun Trucks which subsequently liquidated the terrorists. The army later confirmed that Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers “paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location”.
CDS moves against infiltrators
Infuriated by the arrest of Lance Corporal Jibrin Mohammad, a Boko Haram agent and other collaborations of the troops with terrorists and bandits which had proved very costly to the nation, the military and the suffering communities, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor during the week expressed disgust at the activities of these collaborators and tasked operational commanders to put an end to it.
The arrest of Lance Corporal Jibrin who was said to have shot himself dead appeared to be the last straw which prompted the CDS to issue the letter.
The letter to Field and Operational Commanders of troops, was titled, “Need to Educate Personnel on the Implications of Collaborating with the Enemy” and was signed by Commodore CE Orji, on April 4, 2022
It said, “Recent happenings in various TOOs (Theatres of Operations) reveal an increase in cases of aiding and abetting by personnel. This development was revealed in different reports of arrests of military personnel within a short period of time.
“It will be recalled that a soldier was arrested by a covert Intelligence Team for conniving with a confirmed terrorist informant known as Babagana Kura in Bama LGA, Borno State.
“The arrests of these personnel are indicative of inside action that has continued to aid the adversary pertinently with immediate or potential impact on operations.
“Similarly, another soldier was arrested with 162 rounds of 7.62 mm Special, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO and IED materials concealed in a traveling bag without a valid ID card.
“Preliminary investigation further led to the recovery of one AK47 rifle, 3 empty magazines and one magazine loaded with 10 f 7.62 mm Special.
“These developments therefore underscore the need to sensitize personnel on the implications of collaborating with the enemy while taking appropriate actions that would forestall such incidents.”
Source: Vanguard
