Troops Uncover More Members Of Female Wing Of Boko Haram, 3 Arrested

The Defence Headquarters has announced the arrest of three suspected female terrorists, who have been secretly carrying out recruitment of ladies into the female wing of the terrorist group.

The arrest was sequel to a failed suicide bombing attempt on a military facility by a female terrorist, who blew herself up in Gombe State recently.

The Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made this known in a statement signed by Colonel Onyema Nwachuwku, stated that the suspects; Hafsat Usman Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar were intercepted while travelling to Madagali, Borno State, from where they were to transit to the forest to reunite with their cohorts

“Investigations revealed that the suspects, led by Hafsat Bako, have the mission to recruit members into the female wing as well as conduct espionage for the group”, the statement said.

Hafsat, the Defence Headquarters revealed, had earlier been subject of investigation in 2012, when security operatives on a man-hunt for one Usman Bako, her husband, who was identified as a terrorist, stormed their residence in Jimeta, Adamawa State.

The statement added that the military burst resulted in the discovery of an AK 47 rifle and 2 loaded magazines.

“Though Usman Bako later died in an encounter with troops in Sokoto where he had relocated to continue his terrorist activities, Hafsat continued with the terror group specializing in surreptitious recruitment of members into their fold”, Olukolade said.

He further said that “The arrested trio suspects were luring ladies especially widows and young girls by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly members of their terror group for marriage. Before their arrest, they were on a mission to take additional briefing from the leadership of the terror group.

“The trio have been operating together as members of the intelligence team of the group. Their arrest has yielded information still being verified by security agencies”.