Police Arrest Two Boko Haram Suspects in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of two persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram at the Ochoudo motor park in Abakaliki. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. John Eluu, told the News Agency of Nigeria that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

"We can confirm that two suspects have been arrested for being members of the
Boko Harm sect, as the matter will be investigated thoroughly," he said.
The men were arrested late on Wednesday at the park while boarding a vehicle to
Ikwo Local Government Area of the state and were taken to the Central Police
Station, Abakaliki, where they were interrogated.

The police said the suspects claimed to be Sokoto indigenes but the identity
card found on one of them revealed he was from Zamfara.
Items found on the arrested men, according to NAN reports comprised two dane
guns, machetes, an axe, gun powder, and identity cards, among others.
Alhaji Farouk Garba, a northerner residing in Abakaliki, said the activities of
the dreaded sect in the northern part of the country had made people from the
area objects of suspicion.

"Most residents of the town see northerners who dress in our traditional regalia
as members of the sect and raise false alarm most times.
"I want the arrest of the suspects to be thoroughly investigated to uncover
their real identity while appealing to the people of the state, especially
Christians, to note that not all Hausas and Muslims are members of the sect.
"I also call on the Federal Government to immediately check the terrorist
activities of the sect while the security agencies should be more proactive in
protecting the lives and properties of the citizens," he said.