Over 150 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed on Tuesday in renewed onslaught by Nigerian troops assisted by hunters and local vigilantes while 36 more of their captives, including women and children were set free.
Moreover, about 155 cattle and sheep were recovered during an operation in Ser-Jaji border communities of Madagali–Gwoza local governments, local and security sources disclosed.
Reports also indicated that a large cache of sophisticated weapons have been recovered during the operation.
Disclosing the development to our reporter in a phone chat, a vigilante operative, Bukar Jimeta said the operation followed an intelligent report indicating that the insurgents were preparing to launch audacious attacks on border communities.
“We succeeded in killing at least 150 Boko Haram members, recovered four AK 47 rifles, seven hand grenades, six locally made IEDs, 15 double barrel guns, and set free 36 captives including women and children,” Jimeta said.
Re-echoing the success made during the joint operation, head of operations of hunters, Mr Young Morris said the campaign was a huge success just as he reiterated the hunters’ readiness to continue to give their support in the fight against the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.
“Yes, the operation was a success, because women and children numbering 36 were rescued, weapons which includes AK 47 rifles, double barrels and 155 cattle and sheep were also recovered and deposited at the military base in Madagali.”
Speaking about the attack, a member representing Madagali and Michika federal constituency, Hon. Adamu Kamale thanked the troops and the local volunteers for the unique feat and called for deployment of more men and equipment to the area.
The Commanding Officer in charge of 28 Task-force Battalion Mubi, Adamawa State, Brig-Gen. V. O. Ezugwu, said so far, two Boko Haram insurgents have been killed while 16 families were rescued in Madagali area.
Ezugwu, in a telephone interview, said the success was recorded Tuesday night during an encounter with the insurgents in Madagali local government area of the state.
Ezugwu said over 100 cows alongside two AK 47, six grenades, two pump action machine guns and 18 motorcycles were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.
Lagos Donates N50m to North East
The Lagos State government has donated N50 million to the three hardest hit North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to assist victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the fund donated by the state is to be channeled towards the alleviation of the plight of victims of terror activities.
He said this, while presenting N50 million cheques to each of the states at the inaugural meeting of the National Council of State (NCS) which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, Abuja.
Ambode told the Council that Lagos State government was touched by the plight of victims of Boko Haram terror activities which was affecting not only states in the North East but also other parts of the country.
According to him, the donation meant to ameliorate the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the three northern states became necessary because Lagos considers the gory activities of the insurgents as traumatic to the people.
The governor said, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the emergence of Boko Haram and its devastating activities is a single challenge facing us as a nation. Though the insurgency is basically limited to the north-eastern part of Nigeria, the effect is felt everywhere across the states of the Federation.
“Recently, at the just-concluded 21st National Economic Summit of the National Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, the Secretary to the government of the Federation presented a graphic and heart-rending report of the extent of damage and social trauma brought about by insurgency in the region.
He said, “Our security agencies also deserve commendation for their gallantry, courage and resolve to ensure that the directive of Mr. President and indeed the wish of all Nigerians is achieved.
“Notwithstanding the hard times resulting from the current economic situation, we have resolved to show leadership and compassion to the plight of our brothers and sisters in North-Eastern Nigeria.
“It is therefore in demonstration of our commitment towards bringing succour and relief to thousands of the IDPs that we present this donation of N50 million each to the governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary states, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State expressed gratitude for the empathy and support showed by the government and people of Lagos State under the leadership of Ambode.
Noting that the donation was coming in their hours of need, Shettima promised that it would be used for the purpose for which it was given.
“I believe that when the history of this event will be written, the name of Lagos will be mentioned in gold for identifying with us and showing empathy to our people in our hours of need,” he stated.
Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill 8 in Taraba again
About eight people were killed Wednesday in a fresh attack on KatanKa Village in Wukari Local Government area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
A resident of the village, Joseph Yauko, told newsmen that the armed men numbering over 41 invaded the village in the middle of the night, engaged in sporadic shooting and kiled eight persons in the process.
According to him, the herdsmen, who fled the trouble areas of Nassawara and Benue states have been on revenge mission in the southern part of the state.
He also claimed that the herdsmen have been asking the Tiv people to park their belongings and return to Benue since they have been chased out of Benue by their kinsmen.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack, saying that five persons were killed during the attack.
He noted that the command has quickly drafted its men to the area to calm down the situation,, adding that investigation was ongoing to arrest the culprits.
Meanwhile, as at the time of this report the entire village was reportedly deserted following threats to the lives of the community.
-Leadership