Boko Haram: Nigerian military recovers heavy weapons from burnt church

An arrested suspect disclosed the location of the weapons.

The Nigerian military on Friday said it recovered weapons hidden in a church burnt earlier by terrorists in Kalabalge Local Government Area of Borno State.

The weapons, which included anti-aircraft guns, rocket propelled guns as well as general purpose and other brands of machine guns, were found following the arrest of a middle-aged terrorist, the military said. Several rounds of ammunition were also recovered.

According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, the arrested suspect claimed to be a Cameroonian and an arms courier for the Boko Haram.

Mr. Olukolade, a Major-General, said the suspect led troops on the cordon and search operation. He said the terrorist also disclosed to the military that the weapons were stockpiled to be used in a pending attack on some communities around the Nigeria- Cameroon border.

The military spokesperson also noted that all the weapons have been evacuated while the military continues to patrol the area.
Mr. Olukolade said a particular cave in the area is undergoing a thorough search for terrorists who are believed to have taken refuge there.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah, has taken it upon himself to check on deployment and disposition of troops in various locations in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States; the three states under emergency rule.

He said Mr. Minimah, in company of the Chief of Air Staff, Adeshola Amosu, also visited wounded troops receiving treatment in the Military Hospital in Maiduguri.

The service chiefs, he said, were assured by the Commander of the Hospital, a Brigadier General, that most of the wounded soldiers were in stable condition while those who have recovered have shown desire to re-join their units and colleagues in the operation.

The spokesperson said the Army Chief directed that the hospital should inform him of any requirement either for referral or further treatment anywhere else.

The military chiefs, Mr. Olukolade said, are also undertaking a comprehensive air surveillance of the entire mission area in addition to the direct inspection of some key locations where operations are being conducted.