The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has said the December deadline given by the President to end activities of insurgents in the North-East of the country was realizable.
For, there have been improved operations in the region and the military has recaptured all territories previously occupied by the Boko Haram members.
General Buratai, who was on a familiarization visit to officers and soldiers of the 3rd Armoured Division at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment at Rukuba, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State Saturday, also disclosed that the number of troops and the equipment available to attain the feat have increased and the military had stepped up the fight against Boko Haram sect.
He insisted that the military has recovered all territories formerly occupied by the insurgents despite the recent spate of bombings in the region because “our strategy and operational plans have continued to evolve with the daily challenges that we have.”
His words: “It is not true that Boko Haram is still controlling territories in the North-East, no Boko Haram is holding any territory. Have you heard them (Boko Haram) making any claim of recent?
“We are more determined and we have more professional soldiers on the ground. We have been trained and equipped and ready to face the challenges posed by them.
“We will make sure that we meet up with the deadline. We still have November and December.”
He commended the soldiers in the battle-front for doing very well and urged Nigerians to support the fight by providing useful information to security agencies.
Troops destroy 20 Boko Haram camps in Borno
Troops of 5 Brigade Nigerian Army, weekend, destroyed all Boko Haram camps and enclaves in the border towns of Kerenowa and Chikun Gudu as well as in contiguous villages in Borno State.
Giving details of the operation, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said: “During the operation which is ongoing, troops discovered and destroyed over 20 well-fortified terrorist camps in the general area of Kerenowa.
“The camps include some at the gateway to Kerenowa, Gumada and Dogon Gida. In addition, the troops have also discovered that to evade aerial reconnaissance and bombardment, the terrorists have dug twin tunnels to conceal their facilities and routes in and out of the camp.
“Among facilities discovered were training areas equipped with instructional and training materials that include wooden guns, among others.
“The troops have also cleared Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), along the road linking Marte, New Marte and Kerenowa.
“It is apparent that Boko Haram terrorists lack the will to fight as they are in obvious disarray, abandoning their camps fleeing and leaving behind vehicles, solar panels used to power devices, food and other logistics, beddings, various IEDs-making devices, cables and cords.
“The advancing troops’ morale remains very high and they exude confidence and zeal to destroy all known Boko Haram camps along their axis of advance.
“We still reiterate our call for citizens to remain confident in the ability of our troops to eliminate all remaining vestiges of the terrorists before the year runs out in line with the Presidential directive.
“Citizens are also requested to kindly provide useful and credible information to the military about any known terrorists or sympathizers.”
Blast kills 5
In a related development, Borno Police Command, Sunday confirmed the killing of five persons in Saturday’s suspected suicide attack near Maiduguri.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, made the death toll known at a news conference in Maiduguri.
He said: “There was explosion on Saturday, when four suspected female suicide bombers detonated explosives at Dala Yazaraye village, near Molai on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
“Five persons, including the four suicide bombers died in the explosion.“
Opadokun said security agents have cordoned off the scene.
He said: “Four people sustained injury and were taken to hospital. The area has been rendered safe by EOD personnel at the scene.“
-Vanguard