If I should mention the number of Boko Haram members we have arrested in Lagos State, people will not believe it. But we have arrested thousands.
Mr. Kumar Sanda, the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Lagos, announced the arrest of thousands of individuals in Lagos State who are believed to be members of Boko Haram.
The announcement was made by Kumar at an award event in Lagos on Wednesday, April 16. The commander of the CJTF emphasized the group’s continuous endeavors to stop Boko Haram militants and robbers from entering Lagos from the north.
According to him, Northerners often congregate at trailer parks, quarries, and markets when they arrive in Lagos, and that’s when the police start making arrests. The majority of Nigeria’s militants and robbers, according to Kumar, are actually foreign nationals who sneak into the nation and pretend to be natives.
Kumar said, “If I should mention the number of Boko Haram members we have arrested in Lagos State, people will not believe it. But we have arrested thousands.
“The CJTF monitors trailer parks, and quarries, and checks truck pushers because we understand the channels through which they enter Lagos.
“Our people must remain vigilant. Not all Abokis are bad, but not all are good either. We are committed to keeping Lagos free from Boko Haram and banditry.
“Boko Haram has no domain in Lagos State. The Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor is constantly in touch with us to ensure the people sleep with their eyes closed.
“Whenever you see a man from Borno State, you might feel scared because of Boko Haram. But many of those you see are not truly Nigerians. That’s not to say there are no Nigerians among them.
“It’s a fact that Boko Haram originated in Borno State, and we monitor individuals from Borno across Lagos. We know when new arrivals come in because we track the truck routes.
“A person from Borno can identify others from his state; the same goes for indigenes of Kano and other states.”
Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group based in northeastern Nigeria, also active in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. The group’s name translates to “Western education is forbidden” in Hausa.
Boko Haram has been responsible for widespread violence, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians, schools, and government institutions.
The terror group’s brutal tactics have caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions. Notable incidents include the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping in 2014, attacks on schools, markets, and other public spaces.