Operational base of Nigeria Army in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has commenced interrogation of a forest guard allegedly working for terrorists.
The development, THISDAY gathered, might not be unconnected with the recent attack that led to the killing of four army personnel by suspected terrorists in the area.
The suspect simply identified as Zakari Usman was arrested by the Army following a letter that had been in circulation about two weeks ago but traced to him that the terrorists wrote people of Venra, a few kilometres to Kaiama that they’re coming to attack the community.
It was also gathered that there were serious concerns in Kaiama and other communities in Kwara North about the Forests Guards, particularly those recruited from the villages, that they were sabotaging the efforts of the military, by leaking information to terrorists.
It was further gathered that this development was responsible for the attack on Woro and killing of soldiers on duty post about three weeks ago.
THISDAY further learnt that the letter written in Hausa language specifically listed names of people they’re coming to attack in Venra community but didn’t state a particular day they’re carrying out the attack.
The Army in collaboration with the Forests Guards reportedly arrested Zakari Usman through intelligent driven information system, Vanguard also gathered.
It was further gathered that the Forests Guards working for the terrorists are being handsomely rewarded hence it has become a complicated security concerns for both the community and the government.
Zakari Usman when asked by the soldiers during interrogations, what prompted him to be working for terrorists reportedly said it was because those who gave him money for business transactions he couldn’t deliver, have been on his neck hence he resorted to working for terrorists for bailout.
He also said that the letter was reportedly written to create panic in the community so that he could extort the people.
It was also gathered that before Zakari Usman was recruited as Forests Guard someone gave him N3 million to get him Madrid trees from the forests, but in the process of carrying out the assignment, the community stopped him and others.
It was gathered that while the creditor was on his neck, Zakari Usman now recruited as Forest Guard ran into another business man who gave him N2.5 Million to supply charcoal.
Zakari Usman reportedly recruited Five young men who were also arrested by Forest Guards while carrying out the assignment in the forest without permission.
“The young men during interrogations by the Forests Guards told them that it’s Zakari Usman who they identified to be one of them that asked them to carry out the assignment.
“The forests Guards then took the five suspects to the military and were surprised that it was one of them, the same person in military custody that has sent the youths on the illegal errand.
“So, military are currently interrogating him for further information,” said the local who preferred not to be mentioned in print.
Hammed Shittu and Juliet Akoje
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