The Nigerian military says it killed 82 Boko Haram fighters, rescued 468 and helped about 630 settlements in the North East in the last two months.
Addressing a press conference on the successes and drawbacks of the counter-insurgency operations in the North East in the last two months, the head of the military operations against terrorism (Theatre Commander of Operations Lafiya Dole), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said the final defeat of Boko Haram was imminent, going by the successes recorded so far.
Attahiru said: “Some of the operational activities embarked upon by own troops will be highlighted.
“As the first half of the year wrapped up, troops conducted ambush at suspected BHT route along Logomani–Gamboru axis on 29 June 2017.
“Five BHTs were killed in the ambush operation and troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number: 565203290, one AK 47 magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunitions, 27 bicycles, 15 machetes and 4 daggers and 2 fuel hoses. The following day, precisely on 30 June 2017, troops conducted clearance operations at Musule, Bazanna, Turbuna, Goneri, Muburashe, Murya, Ajira and Durme villages in Dikwa LGA, where 30 persons were rescued and 11 Dane guns, 2 pairs of old camouflage uniform and one Army raincoat believed to have been abandoned by fleeing BHT elements were recovered.
“On 5 July 2017, troops at Baale in Damboa LGA carried out an ambush targeting fleeing elements of BHT rummaging for food and logistics. In that operation one BHT was killed. Troops also recovered 2 x bicycles and 2 x Jerry cans filled with guinea corn. In the same vein, on 6 Jul 17, troops on fighting patrol laid ambush for fleeing elements of BHT along Road Gwoza–Pulka. Troops made contact with BHTs and killed one of them, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“On 7 July 2017, troops on patrol along Road Monguno–Marte recovered a truck conveying food stuff and other logistics earlier captured by BHT elements from civilians at Kumbulewari in Monguno LGA after a fire fight.
“The vehicle and its content were subsequently handed over to its owners.
“Again, on 8 July 2017, troops on patrol along Road Banki–Bula-Yobe, killed one BHT and recovered one automatic machine gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun, 48 rounds of belted 7.62 mm ammunition and 58 rounds of 5.5 mm ammunition. Other item recovered are 20 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one FN magazine, one locally made hand grenade, 2 prepared IEDs, 3 pressure plates and one 9V battery.
“However, the other BHT escaped with gunshot wounds. In another development, troops on fighting patrol engaged fleeing BHTs at Dawashi Gari Village in Baga LGA on 10 July 2017. Four of the BHT were killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds abandoning their motorcycles. Similarly, on 14 – 15 August 2017, troops following a tip off, conducted a fighting patrol to Badu, Dana, Kororon and Moro villages of Baga LGA in pursuit of BHT.
“The BHT fled on sighting troops. One blanket, 3 solar panel, provision, 2 yards of cloth and 50 cows among others were recovered by the troops.
“In the period under review, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole had series of encounters with the BHT in the hinterlands and on fringes of the Lake Chad. Some of the major encounters involved troops deployed at Gulumba Gana recording a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on 3 Jul 17.
“The troops neutralised the attack and killed 3 BHT and recovered one AK 47 with registration number 562703141 and a magazine. Also on 10 July 2017, troops encountered BHT at Kwatara-Kasa village along Road Gwoza-Limankara. Troops killed 4 BHTs and recovered one 36 hand grenade, one VHF Motorola, one empty cylinder, one IED primer, 2 electrical cables and 2 detonating cords during the encounter.
“Additionally, 3 IEDs were discovered and detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD). Regrettably, 2 soldiers fell casualty, while 5 soldiers were wounded in action.
“On the same day, troops encountered BHT at Mayanti in Bama LGA while the terrorists were foraging for logistics and food. The troops’ firepower subdued the terrorists causing them to flee. The troops pursued the BHT to Chongolo Village within the same LGA, where scores of them were killed after a sustained fire fight. Troops captured 2 gun trucks mounted with Anti-Aircraft guns, one AK 47 rifle, one locally made gun, 1,211 rounds of Anti-Aircraft gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun bomb, 2 AK-47 magazines, one FN magazine, 3 Hilux tyres, one vulcanizing machine, IED materials, one sleeping kit, 5 bags of beans and a BHT banner. Unfortunately, 2 soldiers lost their lives in the encounter. Also, on 31 July 2017, troops deployed at Gulumba Gana in Bama LGA had an encounter with BHTs, killing one BHT and recovering 1 damaged AK-47 and an empty magazine with registration number 562703141. Two soldiers were however wounded in the encounter and are receiving medical attention.”
In all he said: “A total of 82 BHT were killed in combat, 630 settlements were cleared while 468 persons were rescued and handed over to various IDP camps within the period under review.”
Attahiru also accused Boko Haram of committing international war crimes by using women and children as suicide bombers in the ongoing war in the North-East.
He lamented that during the period under review, 41 persons were killed and 118 injured in an attack on the University of Maiduguri.
The increased vigilance by the military and other security agents around UNIMAID and Dalori IDP Camps, he noted, had “assisted greatly in stemming the PBIED incidents in the area,” adding, “the ongoing construction of a perimeter fence around UNIMAID would also go a long way in defeating the PBIED threats.”
In the end, he called on all Boko Haram members to abandon their hypocritical leaders who live in affluence but deceive their followers by luring them to death through false ideologies.
He said: “Boko Haram ideologies and its course are premised on falsehood and apparently a futile struggle. All insurgents who are willing to turn a new leaf are advised to surrender to any military location nearest to them.”
