Army raises alarm over plot to use marabouts to frustrate insurgency fight

The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm by some people from Borno State to frustrate the fight against insurgency.
In a statement on Friday, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, said it had been gathered that people of Borno State descent were planning to enlist the support of non governmental organisations and marabouts to disrupt the gains already made in freeing the country from the clutches of Boko Haram.
It warned of dire consequences for such people.
The statement by Usman reads in full: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hailed from Borno State in particular and North East generally, that there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country.
“The unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts were determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months. They are enlisting the services of some Non-Governmental Organizations in this grand design.
“It has come to our knowledge that they were employing every means to see that the our operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits.
“It has been revealed that they are employing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to campaign of calumny.
“We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims. This would not be tolerated.
“Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found would be dealt with accordingly.
“People should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition. The continued lost of lives and properties in this country through terrorists activities does not one any good.”