by Isi Esene

Lt. Colonel Sagir Musa, the Joint Task Force spokesman told reporters recently in an interview that the members of the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram are presently on the run due to the vigilant crime fighting of the Joint Task Force stationed in strategic locations in the northern part of the country to tackle the menace of insecurity posed by the sect.

Musa said his men will soon defeat the group and halt its activities once and for all. He said, “Here in Maiduguri, members of Boko Haram are on the run. They are on the run.”

“Much is being done and we are getting closer unto to them. We are arresting while they confront we engage them furiously. It is now that we are, in terms of intelligence, deficient.”

The JTF has killed several individuals who, according to them, are members of the insurgent group, but observers have questioned that assertion describing the killings as extrajudicial.

They claim the persons killed by the JTF should have been arrested and prosecuted instead of the shoot-to-kill policy practiced by the Force.

The JTF spokesman, however claimed they have been under constant attack from members of the militant sect which necessitated a counter-offensive by men of the force.

Musa said, “Here were people that confronted us. Confrontation in the sense that, they were shooting at us.”

On the rumoured ongoing negotiations between the FG and the Boko Haram leadership, the spokesman expressed his support for dialogue but assured of the JTF’s readiness for combat if the reported negotiations fail.