CDSAC denies Boko Haram prisoners swap for release of 23 train attack victims

• Kaduna police arrest bandit, intercept vehicle carrying arms, ammunition

The Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC) has debunked reports that the release of the remaining 23 train attack victims from the captivity of terrorists was as a result of swap with detained Boko Haram insurgents.

Besides, the Secretary of CDSAC, Prof. Usman Yusuf, also denied ever making comments connecting the release of the 23 Kaduna-Abuja train victims to the 101 Boko Haram suspects detained at Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.

Yusuf, who gave the clarification in an interview on Arise Television, yesterday, said the claim is false and dubious,” alleging, “some dubious persons sent the report all over the world.”

He said the apparent blackmail of the committee would not deter its members from pursuing their avowed mission to eradicate insecurity and challenges facing the country.

The former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), who stated that the committee is made up of retired generals, diplomats and academics that volunteered to pursue peace and also met with the terrorists, said the mission could not have been undertaken without the support of the military.

He stressed further that the military took charge and gave enabling environment to talk, thereby making the release of victims possible.

MEANWHILE, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested a suspected bandit on the outskirts of Kaduna and intercepted a vehicle loaded with arms and ammunition heading to Katsina State.

Spokesperson of the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Muhammed Jalige, in a statement, at the weekend, said: “In its continuous and consistent commitment to curb violent crimes within Kaduna State, the Police Command had on October 2, 2022, at about 1330hrs, while acting on an actionable intelligence around Sabon Gaya along Kaduna-Abuja Road, intercepted a Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. MNA 819 NT driven by one Lawal Abdul ‘M’ of Minna, Niger State, heading to Katsina State through Kaduna.”

“Upon a thorough search of the said vehicle, the following were recovered: one assault rifle, 18 rifle magazines and 241 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect and all exhibits have been taken into custody while the Commissioner of Police (CP) Y.A. Ayoku, has directed an intensive investigation with the view to arresting and prosecuting the suppliers and the users of these incriminating items. The suspect had already made a useful statement that further strengthens the investigation process.”

IN a related development, operatives of the Command equally acting on a cogent intelligence had on October 5, 2022 intercepted a gun-runner; one Musa Ibrahim ‘M’ of Yan Siminti Village of Niger State, who was en-route to Katsina State from Plateau with 280 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm calibre of live ammunition.