The Nigerian Army has said some top politicians and elites in Borno State are aiding Boko Haram and trying to sabotage efforts to rout the terrorists.
It said 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.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, “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”.
He alleged that the concerned individuals are enlisting the services of some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in this grand design.
He said: “It has come to our knowledge that they were employing every means to see that 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.”
Usman said that the Army was aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims, warning that “this would not be tolerated”.
Therefore, he said, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found would be dealt with accordingly.
He urged that “people should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition”, adding that “the continued loss of lives and properties in this country through terrorists activities does no one any good”.