The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Rogers
Nicholas has warned Borno residents against rushing out into streets;
whenever there is an exchange of gunfire between troops and terrorists
to reduce casualties.
Nicholas gave the warnings on Tuesday, while inaugurating a four-man
panel of inquiry on Boko Haram carnage at the Theatre Command Centre,
Maiduguri.
“When there is an exchange of gunfire between troops and terrorists or
a blast in any community and residence in the Northeast, don’t come
out to find what is happening,” he warned.
He said this is to prevent people from falling victims of any “attack
or blast” from suspecting Boko Haram insurgents and suicide bombers.
He further disclosed that 19 villagers, including a soldier were
killed in last Sunday’s attacks on three villages in Borno state.
Nicholas noted that the troops were able to ward off the threats of 10
suicide bombers who attempted to infiltrate into Maiduguri Metropolis
last Sunday.
“Seven of the suicide bombers were gunned down in an-hour fierce
battle with terrorists in the three villages of Bale-Kura, Bale-Shuwa
and Alkaranti,” he said.
According to him, the remaining three fled and could have been
apprehended if not that the people came out onto the streets during
the attacks.
He said this enabled the terrorists detonated their strapped
explosives in the midst of people and killed 18 of them.
Nicholas said: “The only soldier who was lost was cut down in the
crossfire; as he left the trenches to pick up his phone that he was
charging minutes before the Boko Haram struck last Sunday by 8.30pm.”
