US Marines currently in Nigeria to help the government combat Boko Haram
terrorists have made their first arrests taking two male suspects into
custody after they were found in possession of arms and ammunition
during a targeted search. Over the last week, US Marines have arrived
in Nigeria to help with the fight against terrorism after Boko Haram
took their war of terror to another level by abducting 234 pupils from
Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State. Acknowledging
that the matter was getting beyond its control, the Nigerian government
swallowed its pride and accepted outside help. With the abduction
coming at a time when Nigeria is hosting World Economic Forum on Africa
and inbetween two horrific bomb blasts in Abuja, there has been a lot of
international offer of support. France, the UK, the US and China have
all offered differing degrees of support in the form of intelligence,
training and military assistance. Since Wednesday, US troops have
arrived in Nigeria where they are providing security for the WEF summit
on Africa. It is expected that the Marines will also join Nigerian
soldiers in pursuing Boko Haram into the Sambisa Forest in Borno State
where they are believed to have spirited the kidnapped girls to.
According to Major General Chris Olukolade, Nigeria's director of
defence information, two suspected Boko Haram members were arrested at
Anyibe in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. He added that the
duo, made up of a teenager and an elderly man, were arrested during a
cordon-and-search operation and found to be in possession of firearms.
Weapons found in their possession included two rifles, three locally
fabricated pistols and 61 rounds of special ammunition. Apparently, the
arms were found in the possession of the teenager he is currently
undergoing interrogation in custody. US marines are highly specialised
soldiers who have been deployed effectively in areas affected by
serious conflict and terrorism such as Afghanistan and Iraq. It is not
yet clear how many Marines will be deployed to Nigeria as part of the
current operation or if they will establish a base in Borno State.
