Killer herdsmen may have links with Boko Haram – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said some of the killer herdsmen who had wreaked havoc in Benue, Enugu, and Ekiti states among others, may have affiliations with the Boko Haram insurgents.

He said this on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at his Oke Mosan office.

Buratai, who was also on visit to army units and formations in the state, said this probability was already being investigated, as the troops continued their onslaught on the insurgents in the North East.

He called on all Nigerians to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement of persons in their communities to security agents.

He said, “We want to call on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to report any suspicious persons or group of people that are roaming about in their communities.

“One may not be too far from the fact that some of these herdsmen that are attacking communities across the country may have some affiliation with the Boko Haram terrorists.

“This we are further investigating and also pursuing them, so that we can address the situation, so let’s be security conscious.

“Let’s report quickly the movement of suspicious persons carrying arms especially. If you suspect any individual within your community, we should be able to report immediately. Timely information is very important.

“We have our troops deployed in certain areas and I believe the Police are working with them to be able to tackle any challenge that comes in immediately.”

Buratai who explained that the insurgents had been largely defeated, said there no any community in the North East under their control anymore.

He said, “I want to tell you that no community is under Boko Haram as at now. No local government or any ward that we can say is under any Boko Haram siege.

“Our troops are patrolling all those places and we are coordinating with ‎the multinational joint task force to ensure that the borders are well secured and are blocked from any infiltration.”