JTF arrests more security operatives connected to Boko Haram

Nigerian authorities have arrested
a number of officials, accusing
them of carrying out attacks for an
Islamist militant group.
The military said they had captured
an immigration officer who
confessed to being an active member
of Boko Haram.
His confession led to the arrest of a
number of other officials.
Boko Haram has killed hundreds in
northern and central Nigeria since
2009, when it launched a campaign
to install an Islamic state.
The group's fighters have bombed
government buildings and churches
and assassinated Muslim clerics who
disagreed with their views.
Their attacks have killed woman and
children, Muslims and Christians.
Lt Colonel Sagir Musa said the
immigration official was arrested last
month while impersonating an army
officer.
"He confessed to being an active
member of the Boko Haram terrorist
sect," said Col Musa.
"He also confessed to having been
trained alongside 15 other members
of the sect on weapon handling,
assassination and special operations
in Niger."
Col Musa said his testimony helped
the military root out a number of
others who had carried out attacks
for Boko Haram.
Analysts have in the past said that the
fight against Boko Haram was
undermined because the Islamist
group had managed to infiltrate the
military.
Boko Haram shot to prominence in
2009 when hundreds of their
members attempted to storm police
stations and government buildings in
Maiduguri.
The security forces quelled the
rebellion and killed dozens of the
sect's members, as well as its leader.
Since then, their attacks have been
better organised and caused many
more civilian deaths.
Nigeria is roughly divided between a
largely Muslim north, and the south,
where Christianity and traditional
religions dominate.