Major General Isidore Edet, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army revealed yesterday that Boko Haram members are arrested on a daily basis in Lagos and other states.
He said this at the inter-denominational service organised to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, at Saint Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ikeja Cantonment.
“Almost on a daily basis, we arrest Boko Haram members that flee into Lagos just like they flee to other places. “They have seen that the war is being won, so they are running. The army in conjunction with other security agencies arrest them almost on a daily basis.
“Initially, they (would) deny when we ask them questions, but, when we probe further, they would reveal where they fought, how they killed soldiers, how they detonated bombs in post office, Maiduguri and so on.
“By this, we do what we need to do by sending them to the higher authorities to do what the laws and the constitution of Nigeria says it will do with them,’’ he said.
“We have every reason, for those who are still alive, to thank God for giving us victory against Boko Haram. So many others are amputated; some are even using crutches because they fought against Boko Haram so we will have one country.
“About a year ago, we were object of public ridicule, those of us in uniforms, if we talk, the public will say go and fight Boko Haram insurgents and stop making noise.
“But, we thank today that the Almighty God, who trained our hands for war, has taken the shame away. And, now, Nigerians are proud of us again as their soldiers; saying we are at the front line,’’ he said.
Edet, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, wished soldiers and officers a good celebration.
