The Nigerian Army last night clarified Friday’s warning to Borno State and North-East leaders backing Boko Haram terrorists and working to sabotage the lingering war against terror in the region.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a statement exonerated the Borno Elders Leaders of Thought (BELT) of any involvement in the insidious plot. He said unequivocally that Friday’s statement released “does not refer to the leaders of BELT or majority of the good people and law abiding prominent citizens of Borno State,” adding: “I neither mention any organisation’s or individual’s name. However, the warning was to inform a specific group of people whose activities are imminical to our collective quest for peace as enumerated in the release.

“At this point, it is important to observe that what is required at this crucial period is for everyone to rally round the Federal Government to bring to a speedy end the wanton destruction of lives and properties by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We believe that the Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought cannot hold any clandestine meetings and therefore as a responsible organisation the Nigerian Army holds them in high esteem.”

Col. Usman in a statement issued in Abuja reiterated “unequivocally that the Nigerian Army has credible information that certain individuals and groups are losing out of the successes being achieved and therefore want to discredit the renewed fight against Boko Haram.” “We would not tolerate nor allow them to actualise their nefarious intents,” he declared.