Hundreds of people suspected to be terrorists in some camps in Sambisa Game Reserve, the stronghold of Boko Haram, have been killed in the ongoing onslaught against the sect by the Nigerian security forces in Borno.
The raid was carried out by the Nigerian forces with the use of jets and attack helicopters on Friday, said a security source who spoke with our correspondent on Friday. He added that the camps attacked is believed to be harbouring terrorists and are used for most of their trainings and enrolment exercises.
“I cannot tell you the actual number of terrorists killed, but I am optimistic we are making headway, and at the end of the operation, we will be commended, “ the source stated.
The killing of some of the suspected terrorists was confirmed by the spokesman of the Nigerian military, Brig Gen Chris Olukolade, in a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Reuters. The Army spokesman, who said only 30 suspected terrorists were killed, gave an indication that the casualty figure could be more.
According to him, “We have not done the mopping up operations on the ground to determine the numbers killed.” Olukolade added that it was not just Sambisa alone that was under attack but every other camp. He pointed out too that the air strike had been on since Wednesday.
A top security source also disclosed that one of the jets used by the Nigerian forces was shot by the terrorists’ sect during the raid in Sambisa, but it was manoeuvred and landed safely in the base.
Olukolade who also confirmed the report said the “terrorist base” was subsequently “completely destroyed”. In the town of Gamboru Ngala and Marte on the border with Cameroon in northern Borno, residents said that heavily armed troops and tanks arrived on Wednesday, sealing off previously unmanned border posts.
Although, some sources said, many innocent lives, particularly those who reside in the remote areas along the Sambisa area will equally fall victims, as they are not aware of the operation.
Our correspondent reports that Borno and Yobe and its environs have now entered its second day of total GSM network blackout to enable the task force discharge their mission without hitches. In Borno, the spokesman of the JTF, Leuitenant Colonel Sagir Musa, could however not be reached for confirmation, as a result of disruption in mobile phone services.
The present onlsaught follows the declaration of a state of emergency in three North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Thousands of military personnel have been deployed to the area to carry end the activities of Boko Haram which had led to gross loss of lives and properties. Following the depolyment of troops to the states, attacks had been carried out in some areas along border lines, believed to be camps of the terrorists group.
Mobile telephone services had be disrupted in the states while curfew has been declared in Adamawa State. Mlore troops are reported to be moving into Borno on Friday.
3 soldiers, four terrorists killed in Daura clash
Boko Haram members operate with fake uniforms -Army
Police begin investigation
Authorities of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, has confirmed the death of three of its soldiers in yesterday’s confrontation with terrorist in Daura, the second largest town in Katsina State.
Two other soldiers sustained gunshot injuries and are currently on admission in the Military Hospital for treatment, according to a statement released by the Brigade and signed by its spokesman, Captain Ikedichi Iweha.
The terrorists had in their attacks destroyed banks, police stations and prisons in Daura, near the border with Niger.
The statement disclosed that four of the suspected terrorists were shot dead in the encounter while four others are now in military custody for questioning.
Iweha Said after the gun battle 11 AK 47 Riffles, 73 magazines, 275 rounds of 7.62 ammunitions, 118 rounds of FNW ammunition and 141 rounds of 9MM ammunition were recovered from the militants. Other dangerous weapons intercepted by the military men included one Smoke gun, various improvised explosive devices and two vehicles.
It also confirmed the attack on four banks where unspecified sums of money were carted away by the attackers who, it was gathered, numbered over 100.
The brigade assured residents that it was ready to respond to threats within its area of authority and pleaded for support by way of information from members of the public, adding that it was likely that the areas would experience influx of persons with criminal tendency fleeing the North-east zone where military operations are ongoing to dislodge terrorist operating within the zone.
“The Brigade will also like to advise financial institutions without stations outside the capital cities to always leave minimal cash in the vaults at the end of any business day as these terrorist are in need of cash,” the statement reads in part.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command yesterday raised the alarm that members of the dreaded Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, had acquired fake army uniforms to commit crimes especially in Borno, Yobe and other areas where they are concentrated.
This is as the Nigeria Police Force declared that it had begun investigation into the Daura incident.
The declaration is contained in a statement by Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba. The military which raised the alarm consequently advised members of the public to be at alert and report people in military uniforms who might be committing any action considered as unbecoming of members of the armed forces.
In a statement yesterday, the military alleged that the recent invasion of a military barracks in Bama was conducted by Boko Haram members wearing fake full military regalia.
The statement stressed that even the looting and burning of buildings in the border town of Baga was carried out by Boko Haram members wearing fake military uniforms acquired in the black market and used as disguise for easy penetration of targets.
The statement reads in part: “A recent exchange of gun fire with the insurgents in the north eastern part of the country which resulted in heavy number of casualty on their side showed that the insurgents have acquired large quantities of fake uniforms and were dressed in camouflage.
“For the unsuspecting populace, these insurgents would have been misconstrued as soldiers of the Nigerian Army.”
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