Troops of Sector 2 and Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army with Air Task Force have killed dozens of terrorists in the Buk/Talala/Gorgi axis of Borno and Yobe. They also rescued women and children in the axis, after destroying Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa Forest.
Confirming the military rescue mission Thursday in Maiduguri, Bukar Modu, a Civilian JTF assisting Army in counter-insurgency operations disclosed that; the Air Task Force provided aerial cover reconnaissance, before neutralising dozens of terrorists in the forest axis. According to him, the notorious Timbuktu triangle in Borno and Yobe states, had remained impenetrable in the last four years.
He said this was despite the efforts of the military in several operations to end the insurgency that claimed many lives and property. He said the Timbuktu triangle comprises Buk, Talala and Gorgi axis of the forests of Borno and Yobe. “The Lake Chad axis has also been stormed by the Nigerian troops,” he said.
He said that the aerial and ground operations, forced Boko Haram commanders, Modu Borzogo and Modu Sullum to flee the axis. He said some abducted women and children, were also rescued in last week’s counter-terrorism operations. In another development, troops of Sector 1, 21 Brigade and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have overrun Boko Haram bases in Kidari, Argude, Takwala, Chowalta and Galdekore communities of Borno.
He noted that this was despite a stiff resistance of the terrorists. “While in desperation, the terrorists however; resorted to suicide bomb attacks with the manipulation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” he said; noting that a few soldiers were killed with injure of several others. He warned that movement by civilians along the 135-kilometre Maiduguri/Gwoza road has also been restricted to avoid collateral damages.
On synergy between ground and air forces, he said: “Our successful operations have elicited joy among citizens in the liberated axis with optimism that the days of terrorists are numbered.”
