Boko Haram militants are currently exploiting a viable loophole to flee Sambisa forest in Borno which has been surrounded by military operatives.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar who spoke in representation of the Defence Headquarters has revealed Boko Haram fighters have been disguising as vigilantes and hunters to flee Sambisa forest after the various entry and exit points have been secured by the Nigerian troops.
This was contained in a statement made in Abuja on Monday, 27th of June, 2016.
Mr. Abubakar urged the public to beware, adding that the latest tactic was not only for the terrorists to escape arrest but to attack unsuspecting members of the public as was the case in Adamawa.
In his words:
“Following the coordinated military offensive against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest, the fleeing terrorists now disguise as vigilantes or hunters to evade easy detection.
“The terrorists, after being smoked out of Sambisa Forest, in their desperation to wreak havoc on innocent Nigerians and to remain relevant, devised a new tactic of dressing like vigilantes or hunters.
“The case of Kuda-Kaya village in Madadali community of Adamawa where a group of Boko Haram terrorists dressed like vigilantes and opened fire on elated people during a ceremony, readily comes to mind," he said.
Mr. Abubakar said: “Members of the public are also advised to be security conscious and report promptly to security agencies any suspicious persons or group in their community.”