The Nigerian Army has been carrying out series of clearance operation in the
north east to put an end to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists.
Soldiers on Operation Lafiya Dole advancing towards Sa’ada village met the
presence of the terrorists resulting in a gun fight that led to the death of a
soldiers while 2 are still declared missing.
In a statement released by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, he said
troops successfully carried out clearance operation in some villages.
Based on information reports of presence of suspected elements of Boko Haram
terrorists, today, troops of 212 Battalion and 233 Battalion, 29 Task Force
Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in conjunction with elements of Civilian JTF,
successfully carried out clearance operations at Lawanti, Musari, Bori and
Gonizalari towns in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
During the operation, it was further gathered that the terrorists often come
to the village on motorcycles and extort money and cart away foodstuffs.
In order to sustain the tempo of the clearance operations of the remnants of
Boko Haram terrorists that are hiding in remote areas and some villages, troops
of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have been carrying out ambushes, raids, cordon and
search operations in the theatre and northeast generally.
Today, troops of 159 Battalion Artillery Detachment based on information and
confirmation on the presence of suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Tula Udah
forest, carried out heavy bombardment to neutralize them.
Similarly, based tip off on the presence of foreign elements of Boko Haram
terrorists from Chad and Nigeriens, troops carried out cordon and search
operations at Gombe International Hotel, Gombe State. However, nothing
incriminating was found. However, more vigilance is maintained in the area.
Troops of 22 Brigade Garrison also conducted clearance operation at Gama and
Muyile villages, along Dikwa-Gulumba road. During the operation, they came in
contact with 2 Boko Haram terrorists fleeing towards Muyile village and
neutralized them. The troops recovered the terrorists’ weapons and Internally
Displaced Persons foodstuff at the village.
The troops of 112 Task Force Battalion also conducted similar operation at
Farta, Maaza and Chana villages, although no contact was made with Boko Haram
terrorists, the team rescued 2 male adults, 8 females and 5 children held captives
by the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.
In order to enhance capacity building and professionalism, 22 Brigade
conducted a workshop on the protection of civilians during conflicts for Senior
Non-Commission Officers (SNCOs) of the formation in Dikwa.
The 22 Brigade Garrison also intercepted 474 persons that comprised of 177
females, 20 males, 127 male children and 150 female children approaching Dikwa
from Muliye and Masa villages along Dikwa-Gulumba road, Dikwa Local Government
Area of Borno State. During security checks and screening 5 persons among them
were confirmed to be fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. The rest were handed over
as Internally Displaced Persons to the Coordinator of Dikwa Internally
Displaced Persons Camp.
Similarly, troops of 82 Battalion have handed over 8 women and 8 children to
Pulka Internally Displaced Persons Camp, while a suspected Boko Haram
terrorist, Alhaji Mustpha Bulama, was on Monday arrested by troops of 7
Division Garrison at his residence located at Musari, along Baga road,
Maiduguri. The suspect, who hailed from Magumeri, was said to be a member of
the Boko Haram terrorists group and active collaborator.
The troops also arrested 2 suspected fraudsters, Ibrahim Mustapha and Hassan
Mohammed at Bulabulin general area of Maiduguri metropolis in conjunction with
Civilian JTF. The suspects were caught selling fake food cards to unsuspecting
locals in the area at the rate of Four Hundred Naira per card. They were
however handed over to Nigeria Police.
Troops of 145 Battalion of 8 Task Force Division, also
recovered a Toyota pick up van snatched at Balanga and Kindalkura villages
general area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. They also recovered another
snatched vehicle during a wedding ceremony. However, suspecting foul play, the
troops arrested the owner of the recovered vehicle, Bulama Ali for
investigation.
Yesterday at about 11.12am one Bulama Shuwa Kyari, a truck conductor with
registration number, XA 538 MAR, driven by Kaka Bulu Abba conveying planks to
Damasak was intercepted at troops checkpoint with 4 parcels containing
substance suspected to be Indian hemp. Suspect and exhibits are in custody of
158 Task Force Battalion for preliminary investigation. Advancing troops
towards Sa’ada village, met heavy presence of Boko Haram terrorist in the area.
They however engaged them and destroyed the terrorists’ makeshift camps at
Gwari and Ganye villages. The troops had to withdraw to Forward Operation Base
at Kerenoa. Unfortunately, 1 soldier paid the supreme price, 2 others were
missing in action, while an officer and 13 soldiers were wounded in action. The
wounded are in stable condition, while concerted effort is ongoing to recover
the 2 missing in action soldiers.
