120 Boko Haram members arrested at burial of Boko Haram commander

ABUJA—The curfew imposed on Yobe and Borno states were relaxed, yesterday, just as the military made progress in the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgency in the two states.

Yesterday, the military announced the arrest of 120 militants at a funeral ceremony for one of the commanders of the Boko Haram killed during a confrontation with the military. Many other militants were reported to be fleeing towards the eastern border to Chad and Niger republics.

Soldiers in Yola, Adamawa State: Operational Commander, Brig-Gen. Fatai Alli addressing soldiers on arrival in Yola for the State of Emergency Operation yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Members of the National Assembly belonging to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC are today set to break party ranks as they rally support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s proclamation of state of emergency in three states of the Northeast.

Today’s vote in the Senate and the House of Representatives is coming on the heels of the reinforcement of military forces in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa affected by the state of emergency. At least 200 troops were confirmed to have been ferried into Adamawa State on the southern flank of the northeast presently under emergency rule.
Principal officials of the two houses were, locked in preparatory meetings ahead of today’s vote at press time. One of the principal officials in the House of Representatives told Vanguard on the condition of anonymity that the votes to endorse the proclamation would be achieved.