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Defence/Security

B/Haram terrorists suffer more defeats as troops sustain counterinsurgency action in N/East

By Sumaila Ogbaje
Defeat
Abuja, Dec. 26, 2019 (NAN) The Nigerian Army says its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Tuesday inflicted defeat on Book Haram insurgents in the area.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Among Iliyasu, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Iliyasu said that the feat was achieved when the troops conducted clearance operations against remnants of the Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists from Madagali through Waga Lawan, Jaje to Fadama all in Madagali LGA of Adamawa.

According to him, the insurgents were decisively dealt with, forcing them to hurriedly flee the location in disarray.

“Troops destroyed all of the criminals’ structures, farmland, harvested grains stored in underground bunkers and one Lister grinding machine.

“In another encounter at Fadama Village, the criminals’ flag hoisted on a tree was captured and immediately lowered after the troops had effectively subdued the criminal insurgents with superior fire power forcing them to flee in disarray.

“Items recovered from the criminals include 2 bicycles, copies of Qur’an and several other personal effects. Interestingly, no causality was recorded by the gallant troops,” he said.

Iliyasu also disclosed that the troops of 151 Bn, Sector 1 OPLD, handed a humiliating defeat to the insurgents in the early hours of Dec. 25 while on clearance operation conducted deep into the Sambisa Forest.

He added that one suicide bomber who tried to force himself into the troops’ firm base was neutralised with effective fire power in the general area.

According to him, the Improvised Explosive Device strapped to his body got detonated in the process and his body parts were found scattered across the field.

“Items recovered in the aftermath of the encounter include 81mm mortar muzzle cover, two rounds of Anti-Aircraft ammunition, one AK 47 magazine and one passport photo.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in his goodwill message to the troops, admonished them to remain resolute in their efforts at clearing and destroying all the hideouts and enclaves of the remnants of the criminal insurgents across the theatre,” he said. (NAN)
OYS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Troops kill 10 bandits in clearance operation

Troops kill 10 bandits in clearance operation
By Mohammad Tijjani
Bandits
Kaduna, Aug. 2, 2019 (NAN) Troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, deployed at Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Operation CLEAN SWEEP, has confirmed 10 bandits during a clearance operation at Kuduru forest.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Operation CLEAN SWEEP is the climax of exercise HARBIN KUNAMA III, is aimed at flushing out the remnants of armed bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements from the North Western Zone of Nigeria.
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, told newsmen in Kaduna on Friday that the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, killing 10 of them while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Yahaya said the bandits’ camp was also destroyed, but that five soldiers sustained injuries during the operation.
He the injured soldiers were evacuated to 44 Reference Hospital, Kaduna, to save their lives but sadly two of them paid the supreme price.
During a visit to the hospital, the GOC commiserated with the wounded soldiers and also commended the gallantry performance of the dead soldiers.
He assured that their sacrifices would not go in vain.
Yahaya said their bravery and dedication to duty was exemplary that every Nigerian soldier and indeed Nigerians should be proud of.
He promised that the soldiers would be given befitting burials after informing their families of tragic loss. (NAN)
TJ/AIJ/MST
Edited by Abigael Joshua/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Book Haram: 10,250 troops deployed by MNJTF

By Olisa Ifeajika
Soldiers
N’djamena, Feb. 8, 2019 (NAN) Maj.-Gen. Chikezie Ude, Field Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on Boko Haram insurgency, said operations of the team were currently being executed by 10,250 military personnel.

He told some Nigerian journalists in N’djamena, Chad, on Friday that the number of the personnel, drawn from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, the four countries involved in the task force operations, rose from 7,600 in 2015.

Ude, therefore, said that the operations did not have challenge of personnel, adding that the size of the troops had led to the huge decimation of the insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin.

According to him, in 2015, Boko Haram was everywhere, but as at today, no place is under firm control of the insurgents in Nigeria.

The commander said that with the collaboration of national military forces of member-states of the Chad Basin, the Task Force had been able to recover areas previously lost to the insurgents.

He, however, called for support of all segments of the society in the fight to eliminate terrorism in the region, saying “defeating terrorism is not a military affair alone”.

He reaffirmed the mandate of the MNJTF, saying that it is to create safe environment in the basin, to significantly reduce violence against civilians, especially women and children.

Ude disclosed that 2,000 civilian casualties were recorded in the insurgency war in 2015, adding however that the number dropped to 573 in 2018.

He said that security operations in the region had improved considerably, adding that MNJTF’s activities were being prosecuted in four sectors in Bakasole (Chad), Nigeria (Baga), Niger (Diffa) and Cameroon, with additional contingent from Benin Republic.

He said that the forces had been integrated to respond to situations as they arose, explaining that emphasis was on “mobile operations” because of the wide expanse of land in the Lake Chad Basin.

“The task force has kept up with developments in the field, adjusting as the insurgents change strategy.

“Last week alone, we neutralized no fewer than 93 Boko Haram fighters, and this is quite encouraging. All arrested insurgents are often handed over to national forces of the areas where they are captured.”

The commander also disclosed that strategies were being evolved for the protection of liberated communities, “which number 100s, in the area because no deliberate effort for follow-ups on this’’.

He said that situation had remained an issue which the countries of LCBC and the international community were trying to harmonise efforts to ensure that it was sorted out.

According to him, the civilian population in the liberated areas needs structured administration and facilities, with adequate security arrangement, to return and remain in the communities.

Ude called for effective policing of border communities of contiguous nations to ensure that the terrorists did not have free movement in the areas.

He commended citizens of member-states of LCBC for their support for MNJTF and assured that the insurgency would be diminished as the offensive from the joint operations was faring well.

He added that the journey of the war was almost coming to an end, saying that with the support of the people, including the media, “the narratives will change”.

On funding for the task force, the commander said that it was the responsibility of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), noting that it is progressing. (NAN)
OPI/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola