Abuja-based lawyer and Managing Partner of Law Corridor, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has applauded the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the service chiefs over the arrest of two wanted Ansaru terrorist leaders.
In a statement on Tuesday, Olajengbesi said the recent feats by security agencies in the fight against insurgency showed that collective efforts and sustained synergy among security agencies produce better results, especially in the fight against terrorism.
Olajengbesi said, “The recent arrest of wanted Ansaru terrorists and other insurgents shows that synergy among security agencies is the new success formula against terror forces.
“Indeed, a house not divided against itself stands. The era of security agencies working at cross purposes and not sharing intelligence should be over.
“NSA Nuhu Ribadu and the service chiefs deserve glowing commendation for the coordination of various troops of the Nigerian military, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy.
“Nigerians note the recent successes of the military in the anti-terror war and could only demand sustained onslaught against the bastards wreaking havoc in the North-East and threatening the territorial integrity of Nigeria.”
The NSA recently announced the arrest of the leaders of two terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
The two leaders were allegedly the heads of Ansaru, an al-Qaeda-linked group, and Mahmuda, a relatively new and lesser-known militant group. Mahmuda gained national prominence after a string of attacks earlier this year in the country’s north-central region.
The arrested leaders are Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. Both men are also wanted internationally, according to Ribadu.
“These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years. “They jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces and critical infrastructure,” Ribadu said at a news conference.
He said the arrested leaders are responsible for the Kuje prison attack in 2022 that led to the escape of dozens of jailed Boko Haram members and an attack on the Niger uranium facility in 2013, among others.
Similarly, a young son of Boko Haram’s founder was reportedly arrested in Chad, where he was allegedly leading a jihadist cell,
The Defence Headquarters in recent weeks also announced that troops killed terrorist kingpins in the troubled North-East zone and arrested about 2,000 suspects with over 500 victims rescued.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has arraigned five suspects in connection with the Owo Catholic church attack in Ondo State that claimed over 40 lives and injured scores.
