Boko Haram attack on NNPC, UNIMAID staff: Intelligence agencies probe phone call of convoy members
The recent deadly Boko Haram attack on a convoy prospecting for oil in Nigeria’s part of the Lake Chad Basin, which left in its trail loss of lives, property and abductions, has necessitated a joint security intelligence service in examining calls and messages within the Yesu District in Magumeri axis of Borno State, PRNigeria is reporting.
As at Sunday, no fewer than 70 persons were reported to have died, with some being held hostage.
The convoy was made up of staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, staff of the University of Maiduguri and security personnels.
PRNigeria said it gathered that probing the calls of those in the team had become necessary as moles are suspected to have been among them.
An official of a security service, who spoke to PRNigeria on grounds of anonymity, said this on Sunday.
The source also revealed that the security services in the course of their assignment will determine whether there is connivance and collaboration by those living along the routes since the same NNPC explorers have always travelled regularly to the exploration sites on the same route.
“It is so baffling the shocking ambush by the terrorists when our gallant troops have always provided adequate security cover for the same convoy regularly on that same route and similar ones for months without problems,” the source lamented.
There are concerns that the planned military onslaught recently announced by the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tucker Buratai, with a deadline to capture dead or alive notorious position leaders of the deadly sect, may be suspended or slowed down because of the capture of some staff of University of Maiduguri and other abductees being moved to the suspected sites.
Another intelligence officer said: “Some military decisions must have the backing and endorsements of the ruling political class before they can be carried out to avoid any collateral damage.”
At press time, some of the abductees, including the academic staff of UNIMAID, have appealed to the government for intervention and subsequent release.
