The Nigerian Army Sunday, admitted that Boko Haram was still occupying some towns in Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge, Guzamala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The admittance, which was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, however, contradicted the position of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah (rtd).
Minimah, while handing over to his successor, Major General Tukur Buratai on July 16, had said he was handing over, after leading a gallant and disciplined Army, which successfully liberated all territories hitherto captured by Boko Haram.
The former COAS had said, among others, that: “As I hand over today, I am happy to inform you that, the Boko Haram terrorists insurgency is at the throes of a certain defeat.
“During my tenure, we were able to reclaim all territories earlier lost to the terrorists, sufficiently degrade their potency and reduced them to a band of criminals and petty thieves. We were also able to stabilise the situation in the North
Central zone.”
What is not clear, however, is whether the towns still under the captivity of Boko Haram, were overran after the exit of Minimah.
Nonetheless, the statement from the Army, is coming a few days after Governors of Borno and Yobe states, were reported to have revealed during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, that the sect was still occupying five Local Council areas in their states.
The Army said its statement was necessitated by a report in a national daily (not New Telegraph).
It also explained that Gujba Local Government Headquarters in Yobe State, had long been deserted.
The statement further noted that troops of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Saturday, killed over 20 suspected Boko Haram fighters, after liberating Dikwa Local Government Area
It reads in full: “The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication on Thisday news paper of Saturday 25th July 2015 quoting Borno State Deputy Governor saying that some LGAs in Borno and Yobe states were still under Boko Haram terrorists.
“The Army wishes to acknowledge that Boko Haram terrorists have been occupying some portions of Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge, Guzamala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
“In Yobe State Gujba LGA HQ had long been deserted. However, due to recent concerted efforts, roads and towns hitherto being held by Boko Haram terrorists and laced with mines such as Biu-Buni Yadi-Damaturu and Biu-Sabon Gari-Damboa roads were liberated and cleared of mines and made safe for public usage.
“Efforts are on to liberate other towns and roads. Additionally, with the support of Nigerian Air Force, I am glad to inform you that our gallants troops yesterday liberated Dikwa LGA.
“During the battle, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army destroyed one of the terrorists’ camp at Faljari village along Dikwa-Maiduguri road, Borno State. During the encounter, over 20 terrorists were killed and several wounded.
“The troops recovered the following items; five vehicles heavily laden with Improvised Explosives Devices about to be unleashed into the society, four motorcycles, one Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, one Anti-Aircraft Gun and one General Purpose Machine Gun.
“Others include three extra Barrels of Anti-Aircraft Gun, a box of Anti-Aircraft Gun Ammunition, three SIM Cards and a damaged AK-47 Rifle. The brave soldiers also destroyed five Motorcycles adorned with terrorists flags and a Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun.
“The advancing soldiers also found a concealed IED and safely detonated it. The IED was planted by the terrorists at the village with connected wires traced to most likely one of the Boko Haram terrorists kingpins residence. There is no doubt that the village has been the terrorists logistics base. More details and photographs to follow later.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to state further that it would not rest on its oars until all portions of Nigerian soil is reclaimed and made safe from the terrorists. We therefore wish to crave the support and understanding of the public in that regard.”
The admittance, which was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, however, contradicted the position of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah (rtd).
Minimah, while handing over to his successor, Major General Tukur Buratai on July 16, had said he was handing over, after leading a gallant and disciplined Army, which successfully liberated all territories hitherto captured by Boko Haram.
The former COAS had said, among others, that: “As I hand over today, I am happy to inform you that, the Boko Haram terrorists insurgency is at the throes of a certain defeat.
“During my tenure, we were able to reclaim all territories earlier lost to the terrorists, sufficiently degrade their potency and reduced them to a band of criminals and petty thieves. We were also able to stabilise the situation in the North
Central zone.”
What is not clear, however, is whether the towns still under the captivity of Boko Haram, were overran after the exit of Minimah.
Nonetheless, the statement from the Army, is coming a few days after Governors of Borno and Yobe states, were reported to have revealed during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, that the sect was still occupying five Local Council areas in their states.
The Army said its statement was necessitated by a report in a national daily (not New Telegraph).
It also explained that Gujba Local Government Headquarters in Yobe State, had long been deserted.
The statement further noted that troops of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Saturday, killed over 20 suspected Boko Haram fighters, after liberating Dikwa Local Government Area
It reads in full: “The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication on Thisday news paper of Saturday 25th July 2015 quoting Borno State Deputy Governor saying that some LGAs in Borno and Yobe states were still under Boko Haram terrorists.
“The Army wishes to acknowledge that Boko Haram terrorists have been occupying some portions of Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge, Guzamala and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
“In Yobe State Gujba LGA HQ had long been deserted. However, due to recent concerted efforts, roads and towns hitherto being held by Boko Haram terrorists and laced with mines such as Biu-Buni Yadi-Damaturu and Biu-Sabon Gari-Damboa roads were liberated and cleared of mines and made safe for public usage.
“Efforts are on to liberate other towns and roads. Additionally, with the support of Nigerian Air Force, I am glad to inform you that our gallants troops yesterday liberated Dikwa LGA.
“During the battle, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army destroyed one of the terrorists’ camp at Faljari village along Dikwa-Maiduguri road, Borno State. During the encounter, over 20 terrorists were killed and several wounded.
“The troops recovered the following items; five vehicles heavily laden with Improvised Explosives Devices about to be unleashed into the society, four motorcycles, one Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, one Anti-Aircraft Gun and one General Purpose Machine Gun.
“Others include three extra Barrels of Anti-Aircraft Gun, a box of Anti-Aircraft Gun Ammunition, three SIM Cards and a damaged AK-47 Rifle. The brave soldiers also destroyed five Motorcycles adorned with terrorists flags and a Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun.
“The advancing soldiers also found a concealed IED and safely detonated it. The IED was planted by the terrorists at the village with connected wires traced to most likely one of the Boko Haram terrorists kingpins residence. There is no doubt that the village has been the terrorists logistics base. More details and photographs to follow later.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to state further that it would not rest on its oars until all portions of Nigerian soil is reclaimed and made safe from the terrorists. We therefore wish to crave the support and understanding of the public in that regard.”
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