Troops nab Boko Haram’s cameramen, as peace returns to Mubi

AS Nigerian troops continue to sustain their offensives against terrorists in north-eastern Nigeria, more arrests have been made.

Some of the recent arrests included professional cameramen for the terrorist group who are experts in photo, video recording and filming of their attacks on communities and atrocities against innocent citizens.

The terrorists were nabbed during patrols, surveillance and raid operations to track fleeing terrorists in communities around Adamawa State.

Confirming the development, the Director, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said four of those nabbed were arrested as they tried to escape in an SUV jeep with digital camera and weapons were taken into custody.

He added that they were helping in ongoing investigation in one of the barracks.

Meanwhile, normalcy is gradually returning to the  towns of  Gombi, Hong, Maiha and the commercial border town of Mubi that were recently recaptured by Nigerian troops, following Boko Haram insurgency.

As of the time of a media visit to Mubi, decomposing bodies of the insurgents were seen in some places while their bombed hard- wares, including APC’s Hilux vans and motorcycles laid at various locations, especially Mararrabar Mubi, where intense fighting took place leading to the destruction of many buildings.

Some residents of the area, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune in Mubi, expressed happiness with the recent situation as they said they felt secured now that the town was in the firm control of the military, adding that the soldiers had been kind to them.

A visit round the town showed low human activity as major streets of the town remained deserted while shops across the major streets of Mubi had remained under locks and key except for a few traders at the Central Market who had opened shop and started trading their wares.

A trader at the market, Mallam Bello Datti, said he was happy that normalcy had started returning to the town, appreciating the authorities for restoring order back to the town.

“As you can see, we have started opening our shops in a peaceful atmosphere without the fear of being molested. This is a welcome development,” Datti said.

It was similarly observed that almost all the ommercial banks in the town had been vandalised by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Soldiers have already started a mop-up operation in preparation for the reinstatement of displaced residents, as every nook and cranny of the town was combed by soldiers who maintained vigilance.

Also, the police and Immigration Services were fully in operation as a visit to the area command of Mubi saw police officers on duty while their vehicles on patrol were seen combing the town as they also mounted stop and search with the aim to fishing out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

Residents similarly called on the government to ensure the restoration of GSM network back to the area, as its absence constituted a major stumbling block to the dissemination of information to displaced residents.