By Lawrence Audu
Troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai in Banki have arrested eight members of the youth vigilante group, known as Civilian JTF accused of colluding with Boko Haram.
They were said to be supplying logistics and welfare items to the terrorist group
Before their arrest, the suspects actively operated as ‘terrorists intelligence’ and were involved in supplying different items including drugs, fuel, mosquito nets, noodles, among other items to terrorists.
Sources said that luck ran out of the suspects while transacting a deal with the terrorists at a river in Yukami village in the outskirts of Banki in Bama LGA.
The sources said that nefarious activities of the alleged terrorist collaborators, under the leadership of one Mohammed Dungus, have endangered troops on clearance operations around the fringes Banki.
The unfortunate sabotage of troops movement and position by Dungus and his cohorts made it possible for terrorists to attack the rear element of troops on patrol during operations at Gauri village on October 30. Though the attack was eventually repelled, there were serious casualties on both sides.
The sources added that investigation is however, ongoing with a view to unravelling the network of the local collaborators, spies and other accomplices.
It is on record that on many occasions, CJTF has been useful in spotting Boko Haram insurgents, repelling attacks and liberating towns and villages captured by Boko Haram.
In addition, this group has been a vital link in the intelligence gathering network necessary for successful military operations with hundreds of them killed in the process.
But despite their efforts in the terror war, there are some bad eggs engaging in nefarious activities and standing as obstacles in the Nigerian Military’s successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP in the North East.