It warned that providing logistics, intelligence, or assistance to the group constitutes a serious crime.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Army arrested 18 people linked to the logistics of the Boko Haram jihadist group in Gubio, after uncovering an attempted armament supply delivery.

The Armed Forces reported that initial confessions reveal participation motivated by economic hardship, which demonstrates how criminal groups exploit vulnerable people to sustain their illicit operations.

The Army strongly warned that providing logistics, intelligence, or assistance to terrorist groups constitutes a serious crime. It emphasized the need for community vigilance and active cooperation to strengthen the national counterterrorism effort.

Authorities urged citizens to report suspicious activities and resist attempts to collaborate with criminal elements. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of socioeconomic support to reduce vulnerabilities in affected communities.

Northeastern Nigeria has suffered attacks from Boko Haram since 2009, which intensified in 2016 with the emergence of its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both with radical Islamist objectives.

In Feb., the Nigerian government blamed Boko Haram for the attack in Woro and Nuku, Kwara State, which left 175 dead. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the deployment of a military battalion to the area.

The statement was signed by Tinubu’s Special Information Advisor, Bayo Onanuga, and the Army launched “Operation Savannah Shield” to stop the terrorists and protect defenseless communities.

The Nigerian president condemned the “cowardly and brutal attack” and praised the Muslim villagers who rejected extremist indoctrination, defending a peaceful Islam against the violence promoted by the attackers.

According to official data and the United Nations, Boko Haram and ISWAP have caused more than 35,000 deaths and 2.7 million displaced people in Nigeria and neighboring countries, including Chad and Niger.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE – teleSUR

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