The suspected fuel suppliers to Boko Haram

Nigerian Army said its Quick Reinforcement Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Div Garrisson on routine checks arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other goods cleverly covered and concealed at Molai check point in outskirts of Maiduguri suspected to be supplies meant for Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday.

“The driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.

“He too denied supplying terrorists’ fuel and other items; rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand,” said Colonel Usman Sani, acting director, Army Public Relations in a statement.

But Usman said preliminary investigation revealed that the owner of the goods has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa as alleged.

Although investigations are still ongoing, the Army spokesperson said it is suspected that the owner of the goods has been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest.

“This is more so that there is a ban on the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers such as that within the theatre,” Usman said.

He however added that the suspects and the exhibits have been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigations.

In a related development, the Army spokesperson said a dead body was dropped by unknown persons and found by Civilian JTF at Ruwan Zafi MM Ali Filling station opposite NNPC Mega Station, along the Mafa-Dikwa road.

“The deceased whose name was given as Abba Aminu aged between 35-40 was married with four children. He was stabbed with a knife on his chest by his assailants.

“The matter was reported to Jere police Station for further investigation, while the body has been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital mortuary,” said Colonel Usman.