Boko Haram Alert

Latest report as the Nigerian Army has assured the Vigilante/Hunters Association in Borno that it is ready to collaborate with them in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North East.

According to a statement by Brig.-Gen Texas Chukwu, the army spokesman, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Abdulmalik Biu, gave the assurance when he met with the members of the association led by its Chairman, Alhaji Maigana Maidarma.

Biu noted the hunting prowess of members of the association and their familiarity with the terrain of the state and urged them to proffer solutions that would help in effectively checkmating the menace of the Boko Haram terrorists

He said the meeting was timely and would afford them an opportunity to discuss possible ways towards ending insurgency in the region.

Earlier, Maidarma, assured the GOC of their support and promised to leverage on the association’s knowledge of Sambisa forest in assisting the army in its operations.

He, however, enumerated some of the challenges confronting the association to include lack of mobility and weapons to engage the insurgents.

The Nigerian Army said on Sunday that its troops successfully repelled an attack on a military patrol team coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents at Sasawa community in Yobe.

Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

According to Mr Chukwu, a brigadier general, the gallant troops on Saturday repelled an ambush by the insurgents and killed many of them in gun battles at Sasawa in Babbangida Local Government Area of Yobe.

He said the insurgents were planning to attack the Babbangida market to steal food items and laid ambush for the troops on patrol.

“Troops of 233 Battalion deployed in Operation LAFIYA DOLE have neutralised scores of Boko Haram terrorists today, 21 July, along Sasawa Road in Babbangida Local Government Area of Yobe State while countering an ambush staged by element terrorists.

“The troops encountered the ambush during a fighting patrol to clear the general area of the fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who have been on rampage for food and logistics.

“The gallant troops overpowered and neutralised the insurgents in the fierce fight that ensued and successfully extricated themselves from the ambush,” he said

Mr Chukwu explained that reports indicated that the insurgents, whose original plan was to attack and loot Babbangida market, aborted the mission and laid ambush for the troops on patrol.

He, however, disclosed that the troops recorded some casualties but that the situation was under control.

The army spokesman added that additional men had been deployed to reinforce the patrol troops, while the Air Task Force was on aerial surveillance to track the fleeing terrorists.

Mr Chukwu called on the people of the affected communities not to panic over the development which is under control.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Monday, met with the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Roger and other top commanders at the Control and Command Centre in Maiduguri, after the recent attacks in Bama, Borno and Jilli, in Yobe.

Although the outcome of the meeting is not made public, a source said that the commanders briefed the army chief on the various ongoing operations in the North East.

The source said the meeting reviewed the operations and re-strategise for onslaught against remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, especially in Borno North and the Lake Chad region.

Currently, Operation Last Hold, designed to clear remnants of the terrorists in those areas and facilitate return of IDPs to their ancestral home, is being conducted by the army.

The terrorists attacked a military base in Jilli in Yobe on Saturday after carrying out attack on troops at Bama a few days earlier.

Contrary to reports, the army denied that the insurgents killed soldiers at both locations and carted away vehicles.

Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, said in a statement on Monday that “all troops” that came under attack in Jilli had been accounted for contrary to report that some of them were missing.

The fight against insurgency in Nigeria precedes this present administration. The level of destruction experienced regarding physical and emotional impacts are unquantifiable. We were witness to terror. We stared at death in the face. We were at the mercy of insurgents as nobody and nowhere were safe anymore. We were witness to attacks on critical government infrastructure such as the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, the headquarters of the United Nations, and many others. It was gory. The private sector was not left out too. There were also stacks on media houses. And we also lost brilliant and promising Nigerians, quite a black era in the annals of Nigeria. Fast forward to 2018, and you would have a reason to thank God. The president was at Monguno recently at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration. For the president as well as the indigenes of Monguno, it was an emotional meeting because there was a time that Monguno was under the firm control of Boko Haram insurgents.

The frequency of attacks in the local government area was phenomenal. But all of that is history, thanks to the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari and the appointment of a seasoned infantry officer as Chief of Army Staff. I am particular about the choice of Monguno for certain reasons. It was a sharp departure from the usual parade, combat march past, weaponry and equipment usually displays at the Eagle Square in Abuja or any of the big cities in the country.

And it adds to the narrative of once upon a time, Monguno was under constant attacks from Boko Haram insurgents. But not anymore. Some might not fully appreciate the efforts of the military in the fight against insurgency, but when the story of Monguno and northern Borno is analyzed, and then we will begin to appreciate the leadership of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. As a first, I knew something was going to change in the Nigerian Army upon the assumption of office of President Muhammadu Buhari because, in a way, the army is his constituency. I knew he was going to get the best for the position of Chief of Army Staff.

And so when he made the announcement sometime in 2015, I said yes. Yes for the fact that things were going to turn around. Yes because I knew that the end of Boko Haram was just around the corner. And I wasn’t wrong. How was this possible? The military achieved all these feats through transparency and accountability, the hallmark of the present administration. Back to the crux of the issue, Monguno is not just a local government area in Borno state. It is one of the local government areas with military bases. And guess what? The military base in Mongono was not only attacked, but it was also ransacked by Boko Haram insurgents sometime in 2015. It was indeed a shame. Some said it was unthinkable. Some even said it was as a result of lack of strategy and motivation. Some also blamed the leadership of the Nigerian Army. But in all of these, it was evident that something was wrong. It was also apparent that something would give and eventually Monguno eventually fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents. Now fast forward to 2018. Monguno is not only safe, but it also hosted the prestigious Nigerian Army Day celebrations and the president, as well as other notable dignitaries, was also in attendance.

At the event, the president expressed his delight in the following words: “I am delighted to be in your midst today on this special occasion of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2018. I am particularly elated by choice of the venue for this year’s celebration here in Monguno, Northern Borno State. The choice of this venue is very noteworthy and assuring to all Nigerians that the negative history which was associated with the North East in the past decade is now gradually becoming a thing of the past. We are aware of the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on the livelihood, economy, and security of the North East people.”

“It’s gratifying to hear on a daily basis the progress of our gallant troops as they carry out clearance operations along the fringes of Lake Chad Waters and Northern Borno. Members of the Boko Haram insurgents now surrender willingly in their numbers to our troops. Today is a perfect opportunity for me to again sincerely commend members of the Armed Forces particularly the Nigerian Army for their role in the defeat of the Boko Haram insurgents and for the many sacrifices they have made in ensuring the safety of our great nation.”

These were the words of the president who is naturally excited by the successes recorded by the Nigerian Military in the fight against the insurgency. Like I mentioned earlier, the significance of the event is not that it is the routine Nigerian Army Day Celebrations, but the fact that it was hosted in an area that was once under constant attacks from Boko Haram insurgents. This is worthy of celebration.

It is indeed a testament to the capacity of the service chiefs, especially that of the Nigerian Army in the fight against insurgency in North East Nigeria. If we must be honest with ourselves, before the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari, the country was indeed under siege that we feared for our continued existence.  But today, Northern Borno state has been liberated. And that speaks volume of leadership and capacity. I am tempted to mention how the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai has been able to lead the troops to victory. But in all, I will say it has been a job well-done.