By Michael Olukayode, Damaturu
Suspected Boko Haram on Friday mounted checkpoint
on Yobe highway demanding identification from road users.
During the exercise, which took over two hours, the insurgents were said to
have seized a group of vigilantes and carted away their Hilux van.
A statement issued on Friday by the Chairman Network of Civil Society
Organizations in Yobe state, Alhaji Baba Shehu said the insurgents invaded the
roadside Kaliyari community in Tarmuwa local government area of Yobe state at
about 10.30am on Friday.
The statement, said Kaliyari, about 75km from Damaturu was invaded by suspected
insurgents, they blocked the road today (Friday) at about 10:30am and asked
motorists for their ID cards.
Shehu said, according to a close friend
who was part of those stopped and searched, the Boko Haram were looking for
anybody carrying government or related ID card.
Travelers said the insurgents operated freely for about two hours and abducted
some vigilante who ran into them while the operation was ongoing.
The insurgents were said to have also gone away with the Hilux van conveying
the vigilante.
Meanwhile, the military authorities in Yobe State has appealed for calm,
calling on residents of the state not to be panic.
A statement signed on Friday by Lt. Chinonso Oteh, Acting Assistant Director
Army Public Relations read: “Headquarters Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole in its
continuous determination for the protection of lives and properties as well as
the safety of law abiding citizens wishes to reassure the good people of Yobe
State and all other residents within its Area of Responsibility, not to panic
as there is no cause for alarm.
“In a bid to further decimate the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists/
Islamic West Africa Province hibernating within the sector 2 Area of
Operations, troops have intensfied their Operations and residents are hereby
advised to be calm and not panic on sighting movement of troops, helicopter,
vehicles and equipment.
“This headquarters also wish to appreciate the cooperation of the good people
of Yobe in the fight against insurgency. Members of the public are enjoined to
always report any suspicious movement of an individual or group to the nearest
military formation, call or send text message to: 08138890503, 09092779045,
09010163383 and 08155040499, for prompt response.”