Nigeria: Boko Haram Threaten, Fine Maiduguri Residents

Sagir Musa

Ignore Boko Haram Leaflets And Posters; You Are Terrorists Too if You Comply – JTF, Maiduguri

August 29th, 2012

By SaharaReporters, New York

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri has called on the public to disregard the leaflets and posters being distributed by Boko Haram terrorists urging people not to pass information to the JTF on the locations and activities of the sect.

In a statement issued today by its spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, JTF stressed that the publications are simply part of the propaganda of the terrorists to keep the civil populace in captivity and perpetual fear with a view to unleashing more terror on innocent citizens.

In a separate statement, JTF drew attention to two recent incidents in the area in which, following search operations in which JTF recovered some arms and ammunition, members of Boko Haram arrived at the same market and coerced people to pay compensation for the seizure—without the incident being reported to JTF.

“JTF wishes to alert and warn individuals or group to desist from such unpatriotic acts as both the giver and receiver of such monies would be treated as terrorists and be seriously dealt with,” the statement said, reiterating its commitment to the maintenance of law, order and the protection of lives and properties of law abiding citizens.

It reminded the public that security is a collective responsibility rooted in information sharing and collaboration, and that members of the public can reach JTF on phone numbers 080-64174066, 080-85464012 and 080-54429346.