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The Nigeria Army in Takum, Taraba, says it has arrested nine members of a Civilian Joint Task Force over alleged possession of five AK 47 rifles.
The Spokesperson of the 13 Brigade, Capt. Kayode Owolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Calabar.
According to Owolabi, the suspects were arrested by troops of 93 Battalion deployed to Arufu, a border town between Taraba and Benue.
“Troops from the 93 Battalion on Monday Jan. 8 disarmed and arrested nine members of an armed militia known as civilian JTF in Taraba with five AK 47 rifles.
“Before their arrest, reinforcement of Civilian JTF came to prevent the troops from arresting and transporting the suspects to 93 Battalion Headquarters.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed that the weapons were issued to them by the Benue State Government. They also confirmed that they were 60 in number in their camp located in Pegie.
“Additionally, they revealed that the Benue State Government pay them the sum of N60,000 monthly. They further revealed that they were trained by ex-service men and they were brought together from all the localities in Benue State.
Owolabi said that the suspects were now helping the Army in its investigation before they would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
He said that the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, had warned that no criminal under any guise would be spared.
He thanked the public for providing timely and useful information that led to the arrest of the suspects, assuring that the Nigerian Army would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure society.