Nigerian military has given update of its operations in the North-East for the month of February.
Major General Leo Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, in a statement on Wednesday said troops made significant progress in the war against Boko Haram.
It reads “on 1 Feb 17 at about 0950hrs own troops cleared BHT camp at DUSALA where 6 BHT members were killed. Items captured include one Light Machine Gun, 2 RPG tubes and one extra AA gun barrel. Thereafter, our troops came in contact with BHT at BUK where a fire fight ensued. Sadly, 3 soldiers were killed in action while 5 others were wounded. Furthermore, some BHT equipment were recovered which include 9 AK47 rifles, 3 FN rifles, 2 RPG bombs, one mortar tube, one Shilka gun, one gun truck mounted with AA gun and 2 Hilux vehicles.
“On 7 Feb 17, own troops successfully cleared NGAWUMARI, BULABURE, CHONGOLO GANA, SIRAJA and ZAYE NGUSA villages. Troops encountered BHT elements at CHONGOLO GANA villages and successfully cleared them where 13 BHT were killed. Some BHT equipment captured include arms, ammunition, 2 vehicles, 5 motor cycles and 9 bicycles.
“On 21 Feb 17, own troops cleared MANDAKA and LEMU during advance to GATHA village. The advancing troops encountered and killed 2 BHT at GATHA while a member of vigilante was wounded in action. Items recovered from the insurgents include a list containing names of suspected BHT members, an IED vest, 2 solar panels, a BHT flag, 4 copies of Quran, a national identity card and a voters card. A total of 59 women and children suspected to be held captive by the insurgents were also rescued and are being profiled.
“On 22 Feb 17 at about 0830hrs, troops carried out a sweep along DAMASAK – GASHIGAR – GIRI 1 – GIRI 2 – JABULAM – ABADAM – MALLAM FATORI axis. The troops made contact with BHT at GIRI 1 and JABULAM villages where 13 BHT were killed. All BHT camps along the axis of advance were cleared and destroyed. One soldier was wounded in action.
“On 14 Feb 17 at about 0445hrs, own troops laid an ambush at a BHT crossing point between KUKARETA and NGAMDU where 3 BHT members were killed. Items recovered include one AK47 rifle, 3 magazines, 2 RPG bombs, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a den gun, some local charms and 2 knives.
“On 21 Feb 17 at about 1200hrs, own troops sprung an ambush at BHT crossing point within FIRGI along road PULKA – BANKI Junction. The troops made contact with BHT and killed 3 of them. During the operation, one of our trucks was slightly damaged. The items captured and destroyed in situ include one AK47 Rifle and magazine, 7 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 3 bicycles and some food condiments.
“BHT Ambush. On 9 Feb 17 at about 1930hrs, own convoy of troops including 6 BOSG buses conveying some young soldiers encountered BHT ambush along AJIRI – DIKWA road. The troops engaged the BHT but 8 soldiers were killed in action. Also, 18 other soldiers were wounded in action while 3 others were missing in action. A Canter vehicle, a gun truck, 7 AK47 rifles, 2 radios and some equipment were lost in the ambush.
“BHT Attack. On 24 Feb 17 at about 2359hrs, some BHT elements in gun trucks and on motorcycles attacked our troops location at GAJIRAM. Sadly, one officer and 10 soldiers were killed in action and one other soldier was wounded in action. Some of our equipment lost include a gun truck earlier captured from BHT, 11 AK47 rifles and an RPG tube. Two BHT were killed in action as well as 5 motor cycles and one AK47 rifle were recovered.
“Arrests. Our troops have arrested several BHT suspects within the period. Some of the cases include:
“On 16 Feb 17 at about 1425hrs, own troops deployed at MAFA intercepted one Hassan Adamu aged 27 years. Some locals fetching fire wood informed the troops that the suspect was trying to infiltrate into MAFA town. The suspect has confessed of being a BHT member who is tired of their ideology and wanted to surrender. He is in custody undergoing interrogation.
“On 21 Feb 17 at about 1630hrs, own troops intercepted a BHT suspect named Ari Arimaye from BULA – UMARI village who disguised as an IDP to gain access into IDP camp at BANKI. The suspect was searched and the sum of N1,264,000.00 and CFA160,000.00 were found in his possession concealed in a black sack.
“On 26 Feb 17 at about 1740hrs, own troops in collaboration with personnel of DSS Tracking Team arrested 3 BHT suspects at Arawa and Mallam Inna area in Gombe metropolis. The suspects are Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar. They confessed to have fled from Chad Republic and belong to Albarnawi group.
‘On 2 Feb 17 at about 1715hrs, own troops while on clearance operation to TALALA/AJIGIN encountered 2 IEDs about 8km to AJIGIN. Sadly, 2 soldiers were killed in action and 4 others were wounded in action. The wounded soldiers have been receiving treatment in our hospital.
“On 19 Feb 17 at about 1000hrs, our troops encountered IED around BULA JIMBAM general area while advancing after clearing WAIYARAM village. Two soldiers were killed in action while 13 others were wounded in action. Our Nissan gun truck mounted with machine gun and a canter truck were damaged.
“k. Surrendered BHT. On 16 Feb 17 at about 1600hrs, a BHT member named Ibrahim Adamu from CHIKIN GUDU surrendered to own troops in MONGUNO.
“Summary of Rescued/Arrested/Surrendered BHT Suspects and Other Persons. A total of 7,898 civilians were rescued/arrested as suspected BHT members while 2 others surrendered to our troops during our operations conducted between 2 Feb – 1 Mar 17. Also, a total of 8 foreigners were arrested comprising 4 Chadians, 3 Nigeriens and 1 Cameroonian”
Comments