Army says it’s clearing remnants of Boko Haram insurgents (Photos)

In its continuous efforts to end Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the Nigerian Army says it is now on a clearance operation aimed at chasing Boko Haram terrorists out of their hiding places.

A statement signed Thursday by Brigadier General Sani Usman, Director Army Public Relations, said 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 on 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”.

He said “However, nothing incriminating was found. However, more vigilance is maintained in the area,” adding that troops of 22 Brigade Garrison also conducted clearance operation at Gama and Muyile villages, along Dikwa-Gulumbaroad.

“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”.

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Usman explained that on Tuesday, 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”, he stated.

Earlier, the Nigerian Army had announced its joint clearance operation with its Cameroonian counterpart.

“In order to clear fleeing Boko Haram terrorists hibernating within remote and border areas, Nigerian and Cameroonian troops have carried out another joint operation to weed out Boko Haram terrorists along Nigeria and Cameroon border,” Usman said in a separate statement, adding that a two day joint operation which was led by Col Dourai and Lt Col Mohaman of the Cameroonian Defence Forces had troops drawn from the Cameroon’s Battalion Rapid Intervention (BRI) and 151 Task Force Battalion of 21 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

On assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the Army move its operational headquarters to Maiduguri, Borno State where the insurgents had their strongholds.

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