Many are feared dead in a renewed offensive against Boko Haram by soldiers in Sokoto. Daily Review Online gathered that early this Saturday, soldiers from the 1 Mechanised Brigade, Sokoto State raided a suspected hideout of insurgents at the Gidan-Igwai area of the state.
Residents said the raid which lasted several hours may have seen many casualties on both the side of the insurgents and the army. Civilian casualties are not ruled out. Spokesman of the Brigade, Capt. Yahaya Musa confirmed this in an interview with newsmen.
“The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing efforts to rid Sokoto State of the fleeing insurgents from the volatile areas like Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, among others.”
He said the operation was conducted as a result of tip-off from some good Samaritans in the city and its environs.
Musa said the raid was part of a routine operation of the army.
He assured that everything would be done to ensure that the fleeing hoodlums were arrested and thoroughly investigated.
“Sokoto is peaceful but unfortunately insurgents from other parts of the country are fast making it a safe haven and we are battle-ready to dislodge them.
“The operation by the army will be sustained and intensified just like our sister security organisations are also doing theirs nationwide.
“I cannot however confirm any fatalities as at now. But scores of arrests have been made and details will be made available later,’’ he said.
Musa commended residents for their support and cooperation and appealed to them to sustain the tempo.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Police Command has confirmed the abduction of four expatriates and two Nigerians in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government of the state.
Mrs Angela Agabe, the Public Relations Officer of the command, said in Port Harcourt that the police received the report of the incident in Buguma but details were sketchy.
She said the police had however commenced investigation into the incident.
Mr Emmanuel Chindah, the state commissioner for Agriculture said the four expatriates were Thai nationals working at the government owned Buguma fish farm.
He said that gunmen abducted the Thai workers and two Nigerians at 7.30 a.m. on Friday while on their way to the fish farm in Buguma.
He said that the farm was managed by an Israeli firm, Omida farms.
“No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and no ransom has been demand.
“We have reported the matter to the police and the abductors have not contacted anybody,’’ he said.