Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri February 27, 2020
The Nigerian Army; has said that the continuous ‘chocking and decimation’ of unrepentant Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remnants from their enclaves, are yielding results to end war. The terrorists’ hideouts are located in the Lake Chad region and Sambisa Forest of insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. Coordinator of Army Media Operation, Col. Aminu Iliyasu Thursday in Maiduguri stated that; “It is evident in the frequency and number of the criminal terrorists succumbing to the unbearable battle pressure being unleashed on them.” He said the fleeing terrorists into neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon, are currently surrendering to troops, while conducting clearance operations in the region and forest.
Iliyasu said that on February 21, 2020, eight Boko Haram fighters along with 14 of family members comprising six women and eight children surrendered to troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, Bama in Borno state. He disclosed that the surrendered terrorists include Tija Bo Isa, Ba Amodu Aba Kaka, Modu Zantalami, Malam Zantalami, Bakura Aba Kak, the Boko Haram logistic supplier, Bulama Modu Zantalami, Abukar Izahi, Bana Katum and Bakura Aba Kaka, the Boko Haram logistic supplier in Lake Chad region. According to him, during the preliminary interrogation, surrendered terrorists regretted their involvement in the dastardly acts of killing and abduction of innocent people. He added that the surrendered terrorists had been attacking security agencies operating in the region and forest of insurgency affected states.
“Their leadership has also been in disarray in the last four months since the renewed offensive actions by the troops against their enclaves,” he said, noting that there were high casualties on their foot soldiers amidst serious dislocation of their command structures. He explained that many of their colleagues are wandering in the forest and willing to give up their unholy adventure but are afraid of being killed by security agencies. “We therefore; call on them to take the bold decision and surrender to any Nigerian Army unit closest to them,” he said, stating that their safety of lives is being guaranteed. On ongoing counter-insurgency operations, Iliyasu said: “On February 21, 2020, the combined troops of 19 Brigade, 127 and 130 Battalions in conjunction with Army Headquarters Strike Group conducted a massive clearance operation along Mile 4 of Cross Kauwa/Tukul Village/Daban Shata in Kukawa council of Borno state. “Troops made contact with some marauding Boko Haram criminals along a River Bank at Daban Shata. Thereafter, a Boko Haram criminal was neutralized while two others were captured alive by troops.
According to him, seven AK-47 rifle magazines, two bandoliers, camel bag, military waist belt and sample of receipts were recovered. He said that preliminary investigation also revealed that one of the captured insurgents is the Amir (commander) of a high ranking member of Boko Haram at Daban Shata. While clearing forest of Sambisa, he said: “On the following day, Sunday, troops of Army Super Camp 19 deployed in Bitta, Gwoza council of Borno; while on a routine patrol along Bitta/Yamteke road discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram criminals. “The devise was however; safely detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team attached to the unit.” Similarly, February 23, troops of 202 Battalion while on clearance operations between Aulari and Bama also discovered an IED planted by the Boko Haram criminals along the forest axis and the device was detonated. He added that IEDs were also detonated at Mile four, Cross Kauwa, Chadian camp, Kaniram, Mamuri Gana, Bosso river bank and along the re-opened Maiduguri/Damboa road.
