A fresh batch of 49 suspected Boko Haram terrorists (BHT) are now in the net of Nigeria’s Special Forces after being apprehended in various locations in Yobe State in the country’s North-East following a tip-off by locals in some communities.

“The arrests which were made during cordon and search operation also witnessed the recovery of various weapons including AK 47 rifles, locally made pistols and ammunitions by the troops combing the vicinities of towns such as Rugan Fulani, Arikime, Afghanistan and Ngandu villages,” said Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, in a Mission Update released this evening in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

He said that the information was given to the Defence Headquarters Operation Assessment Team in Damaturu during the weekend. “The team led by Air Commodore BE Inyang was also briefed that all the camps of the terrorists in the area had been dislodged as some of the insurgents fled towards Niger Republic. The DHQ team was also informed of a trend whereby some particular crimes have now taken the place of terrorism as the criminals now resort to brigandage, robbery and attempted assassination of business rivals,” the defence spokesman said.

He assured “all law abiding Nigerians . . . of the safety of their lives and property as troops of the Special Forces comprising of various security agencies including the Police Anti Bomb Squads are working round the clock to nip the negative trend in the bud. Citizens were further encouraged to continue to volunteer information on activities of any terrorists in order to help troops rid the state of insurgents.”

News Express reports that the arrested terrorists risk bagging a 20 years jail term if subjected to the full weight of President Goodluck Jonathan’s proclamation while formally announcing the proscription of Boko Haram yesterday.

•Photo shows some previously arrested Boko Haram suspects.