Boko Haram: Army burns 9 vehicles load of smoked fish in Yobe, bans fish business in the Northeast

The smoked fish in flames

The Army in Damaturu, Yobe State  yesterday carried out the  destruction of nine vehicles loaded with smoked fish believed to belong to Boko Haram insurgents.

The volume of the fish was not provided by the military but our correspondent who witnessed the burning of the fish  at the new Army Barrack, Damaturu  along Potiskum road is believed to worth several million of naira including 

While briefing journalists before the exercise, the Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya DOLE, Brig. General Ibrahim Sallau said the smoked fish were intercepted by troops of 159 Battalion Geidam on Friday 4^th October at Bukarti in Yunusari local Government of Yobe State.

Brig. Gen. Ali also disclosed that the smugglers were coming from Diffa, Niger Republic enroute Hadeja, Jigawa State before they met their waterloo at Bukarti.

He noted that fish business in the Theatre has been banned as according to him, the insurgents are using it to fund their activities, adding that, security operatives will descend heavily on anyone caught in the business within the theatre.

His text of briefing read in full:

“I want to most sincerely welcome you all to the destruction/burning of seized contraband smoked fish intercepted at Bukarti in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State, by troops of 159 Batalion Geidam, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole on Friday 04 October 2019.

“The illegal fish smugglers brought the contraband item from Diffa in Niger Republic enroute Hadeja in Jigawa state. The smoked fish were neatly concealed in bags of corn shaft loaded in nine vehicles. The arrest and destruction/burning of all items placed on ban across the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole will be a routine activity in compliance with the Federal Government directives against trans-border smuggling.

Brig. Gen Ali

“I also want to use this opportunity to warn groups and individuals involved in the smuggling of all items listed as contraband across the Theatre Operation Lafiya Dole, especially within Sector 2 Area of Responsibility to desist from such acts,” the sector commander said.

Though there were many unanswered question like what is going to happened to the people that were caught with the fish; why were the vehicles burnt alongside with the fish among other, but journalists were allowed to ask questions.

The Sector Commander with his officers including solders stayed to watch as the smoked fish and the vehicles were exhaustively burnt to ashes before he left the scene.

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