Ba’ana Bdiya, a “repentant Boko Haram warrior,” was detained by Operation Hadin Kai troops in relation to a bombing that claimed the lives of some soldiers.
According to Zagazola Makama, a periodical specialising in counter-insurgency in the Lake Chad area, the suspect, also known as “Manci,” provided information on the military movement to terrorists on March 16.
According to the article, Manci’s intelligence-sharing resulted in the soldiers being ambushed and assaulted with an improvised explosive device (IED).
At the time of the ambush, three troops were reported dead and four others injured on the outskirts of Banki town in Borno state.
“Ba’ana was one of the tens of thousands of Boko Haram members who gave up their weapons and were reintegrated into society after receiving rehabilitation. But after leaving the terrorist organisation, he kept in touch with his old associates, according to the outlet.
According to military sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama, Manci had previously in February provided the Boko Haram terrorists who successfully attacked troops during battle patrols at Ngauri with similar knowledge.
Several troops were allegedly killed as a result of the intelligence.
The military sources were cited as adding, “This comes less than a week after two other ex-militants, Goni Farouq and Amir Zabu, (The Executioner), who were senior former Commanders of Boko Haram, were overheard discussing assaults against troops on the phone.
“The malicious operations of the local network of informants are the main hurdle between the soldiers and the complete and comprehensive eradication of Boko Haram terrorists.
There are worries that the ongoing deradicalization of remorseful terrorists without adequate release into society might reverse the successes made thus far in the fight against insurgency.
