37 foreigners arrested in Nigeria's anti-terrorism operations: army commander
Xinhua, December 22, 2016 Adjust font size:
An investigation is underway to ascertain the nationalities and real motives of 37 foreigners arrested during anti-terrorism operations by government forces in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, a commander of the Nigerian army has said.
In a statement reaching Xinhua on Thursday, Lucky Irabor, combatant commander of troops in the northeast region, said the investigation would determine if the foreigners are terrorists or not.
They were arrested during different operations in the Sambisa Forest, known as the largest training camp of Boko Haram in the country's northeast region.
About 504 Boko Haram terrorists were arrested during recent operations in Sambisa Forest, among whom 19 of them willingly surrendered.
Irabor said about seven kidnappers who were also arrested during the operations are currently under investigation.
The combatant commander said troops had made a remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram, having intensified efforts to mop up all the areas in Sambisa Forest.
Nigeria's northeast region has been a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram. Endit