By Sunny Onu
Special Correspondent, Maiduguri
Many Boko Haram henchmen wanted by the military have been killed by troops or have fled the theatre of insurgency in the North East (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa), a security operative confided in TheNiche at the weekend.
He also noted that newspapers find it difficult to publish the posters of the terrorists put out by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, because their picture resolution is poor.
Our source, who pleaded anonymity, said the anti Boko Haram campaign materials launched by Buratai to help locate and flush out the militants are largely circulated in those three states, leaving out other possible destinations for the terrorists, like Lagos.
Displaying the posters of 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Buratai said “if anybody is calling to give out information on any of the suspects, he or she should mention the specific number on the poster as each of the suspect has a number tag to his photograph.”
That appeal paid off hundreds of kilometres away last week as one of the Boko Haram kingpins on the poster, Chindo Bello, was arrested at Abuja Airport while trying to board an Aero Contractor plane en route Lagos.
Bello almost beat all the security points until someone who recognised him notified the authorities.
The posters helped in nabbing Bello, but their effects are limited because they are visible mostly on the streets of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
They are rarely seen elsewhere, even in other Northern state capitals, let alone down South.
Buratai released three telephone numbers (081 815 5888, 081 600 30300 and 0705 333 3123) through which information could be passed to the authorities when a terrorist is spotted.
He said “the fight against Boko Haram insurgency is a collective responsibility of all, including the media.
“These photographs of terrorists’ suspects are to be identified with their numbers attached to each of the 100 photos, while members of the general public could send in more information on the locations or whereabouts of these Boko Haram sect members who appear in these special photo identifications.
“Each of the suspects must have either participated or involved in the ongoing war in the theatre operations of Lafiya Dole.
“If any member of the general public identifies the location and whereabouts of these suspects, please contact these three telephone numbers in these launched anti-terrorism campaign materials in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.”