TROOPS of the Nigerian military have been urged to capture the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, alive even as fleeing terrorists abandoned large heaps of arms and ammunition.
This order has become necessary so as to bring him to face justice and the full wrath of the law for his crime against the Nigerian state.
Also the need to put a final gimmick that leader of the insurgents if invisible, even though the military had on two occasions killed him.
Security sources as reported by PRNigeria have it that "Nigerian troops have been put on red alert for any insurgents’ leader bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau who is believed to be desperately looking for escape routes.
"On at least two occasions now, troops have killed characters calling themselves Abubakar Shekau in videos but the insurgents manages to find other individuals looking like him and pretend that he was still alive.
"The order to catch Shekau alive is therefore to ensure that it will no longer be possible to resort to the same trick.
"The rumour about Shekau’s invincibility is one of the factors that troops are afraid to confront the terrorists".
The recent successes recorded by troops against Boko Haram insurgents in the North eastern parts of the country, the recapture of towns and villages hitherto being terrorised and controlled by the insurgents has motivated the troops to more victories, coupled with the change in Command leadership and new weapons acquired for the troops.
The source said "with acquisition of new equipment from various sources and the specialised training of the troops on guerrilla warfare, the military indirectly called the bluff of some deceptive western countries who are now trying to save face by claiming to work with our neighbours.
“The effective collaboration and mutual relationship with our neighbours is paying off as they now realise that inactions can pose disasters to their countries too,”
The online report also said "troop’s morale has been greatly boosted in recent times by arrival of sophisticated armaments and the decision of senior military officers to lead the war against terror directly which also influenced the change of some commanders.
"Some of the successes recorded in recovery of big towns in the North-East were due to deployment of new strategies, improved disciplinary measures, and sincerity of participating countries in the regional alliance and the acquisitions of latest equipment.
"In the past, Colonels have led direct attacks in accordance with military tradition but because of the large scale desertions recorded, Military Generals then decided to directly lead the war and this has greatly boosted morale.
"It was even learnt that many of the troops that earlier deserted have returned while others have expressed desire to return to the front.
Meanwhile a statement from the Director of Defence information (DDI) Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade said "Troops engaged in cordon and search in Baga continue to discover more arms of various background and shapes abandoned in some houses and the surrounding by fleeing terrorists.
"Heaps of weapons most of which were strange looking or destroyed are still being gathered. Many abandoned or destroyed motorcycles have also been discovered.
"A soldier was stabbed while another was shot during a close quarter battle which ensued as troops involved in cordon and search caught up with some of the fleeing terrorists.
As the troops continue the search, a number of individuals who claimed to be residents are also being interrogated in order to ascertain their identity and motive.
The statement by the DDI also indicates that "the group consisting mostly women continued to hail and cheer the troops as they conduct thorough search in the area. Wanting to be sure the group was not working for the terrorists despite the excitement, they had to be placed under watch."
The search and patrol of the localities have continued as the troops have launch the offensive on the group in other areas.
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