Nigerian troops arrest suspected gunmen in northeast state

Nigerian troops operating in northeast Borno State has confirmed the arrest of a number of suspected gunmen. Col. Victor Ebhaleme, field commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), told reporters on Sunday in Maiduguri, the state capital, that the arrests were in connection with the recent indiscriminate shooting in the metropolis. The commander said he could not give the exact number as they were still undergoing interrogation. "Anybody that is found guilty will however face the full wrath of the law at the end of the day," the JTF field commander said. He told reporters that the arrests became necessary in view of the role armed robbers now play in the city under the guise of being Boko Haram members to breach the public peace. The commander expressed concern over media reports that two soldiers were killed in a shoot-out between JTF operatives and gunmen in the Gwange area of Maiduguri. He said the reports were untrue and advised journalists to verify their facts before going to press, fearing the write-ups had misled the public.