The Nigerian Army says its Quick Reinforcement Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion of the 7 Division has arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other goods, which it suspects were meant to be delivered to Boko Haram terrorists.
According to a statement issued by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the goods were intercepted at Molai check point in the outskirts of Maiduguri at about 8:00am on Tuesday.
“The driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed to be ignorant of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain. He too denied supplying terrorists fuel and other items, as he was just a trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand,” Col. Usman said in a statement.
He also disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa as claimed.
“Although investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest. This is more so that there is a ban on the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers such as that within the theatre. Both suspects and the exhibits have been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigations,” the Army Spokesman said.
According to him, “In a related development, a dead body was dropped by unknown persons and found by Civilian JTF at Ruwan Zafi MM Ali Filling station opposite NNPC Mega Station, along the Mafa-Dikwa road. The deceased, whose named was given as Abba Aminu, aged between 35-40, was married with 4 children. He was stabbed with a knife on his chest by his assailants. The matter was reported to Jere Police Station for further investigation, while the body has been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital mortuary.”
•Photo shows suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers, Muhammadu Adamu and Tijjani Gambo.
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