The Nigerian Army has reportedly, arrested more than 40 foreigners in Sambisa forest in the last one week.
This is coming few days after the Nigerian Army recaptured the dreaded den of the Boko Haram sect in Sambisa Forest.
Concerns are high whether the arrested foreigners are connected with the Boko Haram sect.
The profiling of the foreigners has started to determine whether or not they were working in cahoot with Boko Haram insurgents, who are fleeing their former stronghold.
The military has blocked all known entry and exit points to Sambisa Forest to hem in the remnants of the insurgents.
According to a military source, the identities of the foreigners and their missions in Sambisa Forest will not be revealed until after a thorough screening has been completed, TheNation reports.
Intelligence officers are profiling the foreigners, who are suspected to be providing “back-up” for Boko Haram.
The source said: “”In the last one week since we launched massive operations in Sambisa Forest, we have arrested over 40 foreigners.
“We will come up with the details later after the profiling of these suspects. They are all being debriefed. But we discovered that there were so many foreigners in the midst of Boko Haram.
“We have also rescued a lot of people who are being screened too.”
Responding to a question, the source explained the significance of the military routing of the insurgents in Sambisa.
He said the troops’ success was no fluke.
He added: “As for the operations in Sambisa Forest, our gallant troops have successfully taken over Camp Zero and Camp S (Shape) which are the headquarters of Boko Haram.
“The success of the operations is significant because there is no habitation beyond these areas in Sambisa Forest. The area is about 66,000 square kilometres and there are so many parts uninhabited.
“Many insurgents, including their leaders, were killed and many were captured. Many insurgents are now fleeing. The situation now is that Boko Haram insurgents have been dispersed and dislocated.”
On the fate of the remaining Chibok girls, the source said: “The fleeing Boko Haram insurgents must have relocated them from Sambisa Forest but we are already hunting for them.”
Director of Defence Information Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said: “The operation in Sambisa Forest is still ongoing. Troops are not relenting. We are now all over the place. We’ll ensure no entry to Sambisa Forest; no exit.”
“We have advised Nigerians to be wary of fleeing insurgents who may likely disguise.”
