Posted on: 11:38 Wed, 10 Feb 2016



The Nigerian Army has issued a warned that it
would shut down markets hampering the on-
going anti-insurgency operations in the North-
East.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the acting
Director, Army Public Relations said some
criminal elements were using certain markets
to aid the Boko Haram members.

His statement read: “It has come to the
knowledge of the Nigerian Army that while
concerted efforts are being made to finally
clear all remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in
the North East in particular and the country
generally, some unscrupulous elements in the
society have been thwarting that effort for
pecuniary gains. They engage in all manners of
illegal commercial activities such as trading
and smuggling especially during late hours, all
aimed at sustaining terrorism and insurgency.

This is more prevalent in some towns and
villages within the North East especially in
Borno and Yobe States. The unpatriotic and
selfish elements have clandestinely been aiding
the terrorists with logistics and other supplies,
through smuggling and other forms of illicit
trading, thus sustaining them, while the
merchants of death make money out of it.”

“Consequently, the Nigerian military and indeed
the Nigerian Army is highly concerned with
these unpatriotic acts. The Nigerian Army is
therefore taking some drastic steps to curtail
this illicit trading with the terrorists. From now
on, some markets identified to be engaging in
this illegal trade with the adversary in Borno
and Yobe States will be closed. Any breach of
that would be dealt with accordingly. The
General Officers Commanding and other
commanders have been directed accordingly.

We implore for public’s kind support and
understanding as we take these drastic
measures to enable us decisively deal with the
terrorists and saboteurs.”