FRESH hopes have risen that the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok pupils abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 may be found after the Nigerian Army captured a major terrorist base arresting one of the kidnappers and releasing 370 hostages.  

Almost two years ago now, the over 200 pupils were kidnapped from their boarding school in Borno State and whisked off to an unknown destination where they have been held since. Of late, however, the Nigerian military has enjoyed some success in capturing territory from Boko Haram and a few days ago they arrested Jarasu Shira, one of those who participated in the Chibok abduction who may know the girls' whereabouts. 

According to Major General Hassan Umoru, the commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the operation to defeat Boko Haram, troops have killed 63 Boko Haram terrorists and intercepted suicide bombers within this week alone. He added that during the operation soldiers came in contact with Boko Haram terrorists at Kudiye and Mijigete where 370 hostages were rescued, while three rifles and 41 motorcycles were destroyed. 

Major General Umoru said that the troops had also recovered many AK47 rifles, ammunition, anti-aircraft guns, rocket propelled grenades, improved explosive devices, general multi-purpose guns (GMPG), vehicles and motorcycles among other items from the terrorists.  He added that the troops conducted the fighting at Afe, Kudiye, Souma, Dikwa, Mijigeta, Mida villages in Borno State. 

Nigerian Army spokesman Col Sani Usman, said:  “The troops also cleared some Boko Haram hideouts in Wala, Tirkopytir and Durubajuwe in Gwoza Local Government Area, where they recovered GMPG, locally made dane gun and a grinding machine. In Huyum in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, the terrorists sighting troops abandoned their families behind which include five women and 12 children, who are currently undergoing interrogation." 

He added the troops also intercepted three suspected suicide bombers trying to infiltrate Maiduguri near the Mafa checkpoint in Borno State. At the location, two female suicide bombers detonated an explosive which killed them instantly, while a male suicide bomber was immediately gun down while trying to run into the troops at the checkpoint. 

Meanwhile, wanted Boko Haram kingpin, Jarasu Shira, who also goes by the alias Jarido, was arrested in Damboa, Borno State, disguised as a cowboy. He was nabbed at a motor park at about 8.30am along with 10 other suspected members of the group who escorted him to Damboa to board a vehicle to Biu. 

They were arrested by members of the vigilante group popularly known as Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). Mr Shira is said to be number one on a new list of wanted men by the Nigeria military and was said to be on his way to Lagos. 

He is believed to be the leader of the Boko Haram militants in Damboa, Chibok and Askira Uba local government areas of Borno State. A ranking figure in the Boko Haram hierarchy, Jarido is also thought be so powerful in the group that he might have knowledge of the whereabouts of the Chibok girls kidnapped in April 2014.