Gusau/Maiduguri, Nigeria - The Nigerian Army headquarters has ordered the deployment of troops and armoured tanks to Maiduguri to contain recent attacks by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.
Our correspondent learnt from military sources yesterday that 95 soldiers had already been deployed from the 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment, both in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Three armoured tanks called 'Scorpions' have been deployed to the Giwa barracks to be on stand-by for any eventualities, it was learnt. The source said the Army Headquarters ordered that the soldiers also remain in the same barracks because President Goodluck Jonathan was yet to give orders for troops to take over operations.
Meanwhile, the police said it had recovered un-detonated bombs in three different locations in Maiduguri suspected to have been planted by members of the Boko Haram sect, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 12, Mohammed Hadi Zarewa has said.
The police chief disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the security situation in Borno State. He also said there was an explosion close to the Monday Market in the metropolis without injuries.
Zarewa noted that three undetonated bombs where discovered around the new prison, El-Kanemi area near the popular Monday market and around the Gamboru police post that was burnt by members of the sect on Monday.
The AIG said 400 mobile policemen had so far been deployed to the state to protect lives and property.
On the attacked police station, he said the place was a police outpost that was upgraded illegally to a Divisional Police Station by a former commissioner of police in the state but was reverted by the present commissioner.
Zarewa called on members of the public to cooperate with the police in information gathering, saying everyone is a stakeholder in security business.
"Information gathering is a tedious task. And since the criminals are living in the midst of the people, it is the responsibility of all to provide information and not to double-deal in the process. If they are not free with the police, they can go to the traditional leaders," he added.
He also called on parents to monitor their children in order to ascertain the kind of associations they belong to or religious teachings they are receiving. He added that people should feel free and bear the inconveniences of the stop and search operation.
The AIG said so far, the police had lost five of its men, six civilians and four AK 47 rifles since July when the sect members launched fresh attacks.
Our correspondents report that there was no visible breach of peace so far in any part of the state since Tuesday and public activities have remained normal even though intense stop and search continued.