In the aftermath of the failed suicide bombing attempt on a military facility by a female terrorist who blew herself up in Gombe recently, troops have arrested three suspected female terrorists who have been secretly recruiting ladies into the female wing of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
The suspects, Hafsat Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar, were arrested while travelling to Madagali from where they were to transit to the Sambisa forest to reunite with their accomplices.
A statement by Col. Onyema Nwachukwu on behalf of the Director, Defence Information, in Abuja on Friday, said investigations revealed that the suspects, led by Bako, were on a mission to recruit members into the female wing as well as spy for the sect.
Bako’s link with the terrorists group had earlier been a subject of investigation in 2012, when security agents on a man-hunt for one Usman Bako, her husband who was identified as a terrorist, stormed their residence in Jimeta.
This, the statement added, resulted in the discovery of an AK 47 rifle and two loaded magazines.
The statement said, “Though Usman Bako later died in an encounter with troops in Sokoto where he had relocated to continue his terrorist activities, Hafsat continued with the terror group, specialising in surreptitious recruitment of female members.
“The suspects were luring ladies especially widows and young girls by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly members of the terror group for marriage.”
The Defence headquarters, however, said the female terror suspects had been operating with members of the intelligence team of Boko Haram, adding that their arrest had yielded information being verified by security agencies.
