Terrorism: Military arrests producer of fake National ID cards for insurgents
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Men of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on Thursday identified a business centre, which specialised in the production of fake National Identity Cards and other documents for terrorists.
The business centre, as stated in a statement by Deputy Director, Army Public. Relations, Col. Tukur Gusau is located around the popular and busy Post Office area of the metropolis and operated by Mr. John Zakariya and Mallam Makinta Umarm, who are now in military custody.
The statement reads: “The arrest of the accomplices were made possible after a Boko Haram terrorist, who was earlier arrested confessed to Joint Investigation Centre that the suspected persons were in the business of producing ID cards for the terrorists group.
“The items recovered from the accomplices include; computer laptops, memory sticks, still camera among others.
“During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the accomplices produce fake National Identity Cards and other documents for the terrorists in a Business Centre located in Maiduguri.
“These documents enable the terrorists to move freely to various destinations and carry out their terrorists activities, killing and inflicting hardship on law abiding citizens in the country.
“The documents also facilitate the smooth movement of the terrorists to neighbouring countries to network with other terrorists.
“This act by the accomplices is detrimental to the ongoing effort of the various security agencies under Operation Lafiya Dole.”
The statement added that the arrested accomplices will be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
In this regard, Gusau said, the Army, Air Force and all other security agencies in Operation Lafiya Dole appreciated the continuous support and cooperation of the people of all the affected states in the campaign against terrorism and insurgency, and therefore promised to exercise its duties with high sense of professionalism in order to restore law and order in the state.
