THE military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State Monday arrested three suspected Boko Haram terrorists who allegedly killed Maj-Gen. Mohammed Shuwa (rtd) at his Gwange residence.
The task force also rescued Alhaji Ummara Sanda Sheriff (85) and his wife, Maryam, from Boko Haram abductors at Zabarmari Ward of Jere Local Council yesterday by 9.a.m.
The Sheriffs were abducted at Ngamdu, a border village, 100 kilometres west of Maiduguri, the state capital. They are parents of Mohammed Sanda, a member representing Kaga/Magumeri/Gubio Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, elder statesman and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, who was kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram last Friday was by noon Monday released by his captors in Kirenuwa, a village, 145 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The arrests and rescue were disclosed in two separate statements by the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, and made available to reporters in Maiduguri.
Musa, in the statement, said all the suspects confessed to the killing of Gen. Shuwa for unspecified fee on November 12, 2012. While describing how the suspects were arrested, he said: “Sequel to Abdulkareem’s confession, four other members of the syndicate were identified and three of them arrested between January and March, 2013. One of the culprits is at large. So far, the three arrested are Mustapha Umar (22), Goni Modu Lawal (22) and Goni Ali (Bakura Bama (20).
“Mustapha Umar was actively involved in the planning and execution of the plan that led to the killing of Maj.-Gen Shuwa while the two others played various indirect roles. Both have confessed to being members of Boko Haram under Gwange Cell with Abdulkareem as their commander whom they alleged received instructions directly from Abubakar Shekau.
They equally confessed to carrying out various attacks both on military and civilian targets including extorting about N20 million on two occasions from late Alhaji Ibrahim Maisugar, among others,” Musa said.
On Sheriff and his wife, the statement also reads in part: “Based on intelligence, the Joint Task Force Operation RESTORE ORDER intercepted and rescued two kidnapped victims - one Ummara
Sanda Sheriff and his wife, Mrs. Maryam Sanda Sheriff (the parents of Mohammed Sanda, a federal lawmarker representing Kaga-Maigumeri – Gubio constituency, Borno State) from a six-man Boko Haram.
The expansive residence of the 92-year old educationist and philanthropist, Monguno, could not contain the huge crowd of well-wishers, including Governor Kashim Shettima who gathered to rejoice with the family on his safe return, according to online sources.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after visiting Ali Monguno, Governor Shettima thanked Almighty God, journalists and security agencies for their role in securing the release of the elder statesman.
“I am overwhelmed by the release of our father, Monguno and he is in good health. His release was a result of persistent appeal to his captors by spirited individuals, Borno people and the state government.
“The 92-year old educationist has spent all his life serving the country and humanity and he does not deserve the inhuman treatment he went through,” he said.
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