We’re making success in the ongoing operations against Boko Haram in Sambisa general area, we’re taking the second phase to the fringes of Lake Chad – General Attahiru

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahrtu has said that the military are making successes in the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents in the Sambisa forest and that the second phase of the operation will start very soon along the fringes of Lake Chad.

The Army Chief was in Maiduguri again on operational visit to the theater Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, in Maiduguri to appraise the ongoing counter insurgency war in the Northeast.

It could be recalled that this is the third time the COAS is visiting the theater Command Operation Lafuya Dole within less than a month, after his first visit with the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Major General Lucky Irabor along side other service chiefs in less than a week after their appointments.

While speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after he had a closed door meeting with the the top military commanders at the Military Command and Control Center, Maiduguri on Saturday, General Attahiru said “following the ongoing offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists, there is need for us to come and appraise the operation to appraise our successes and re-strategize. There is also need to encourage our troops, to do more “

” As you are aware, Jimiya, Sahul Huda where Boko Haram use to be active have been cleared. We can rightly say we have made success, we are getting into second phase of the operation by taking the war to fringes of Lake chad and by the grace of God we will soon bring to an end Boko Haram insurgency”, the COAS added.

Speaking on the last Thursday and Friday’s insurgents attack on Marte and Dikwa, General Attahiru said ” while absolutely, we are making successes in Sambisa and it’s environs. You know the advisories will want to detract you, this good example of what they did in Marte and Dikwa. Good enough our troops have gave good account of themselves by taking up the challenged and decisively felt with the insurgents’.

The COAS while encouraging the troops, said ” we are bringing more combat multiplier and this is exactly what we’re going to replicate in all our theaters of operations. I want to use this medium to assure Nigerians that we are going to replicate this in all the theaters of operations across the country so that we will give a final knock on Boko Haram, bandits and other criminals.”

Military kills 2 most wanted Boko Haram insurgents commanders in Borno

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The troops of Operations of the Operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian Army deployed under operation Tura ta Kai Bango ” have killed two most wanted Boko Haram commanders “Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib. in an ambush on the terrorists at their crossing points at between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction – Pulka axis.in Borno state

The Army in a state issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Mohammed Yerima said ” the renewed offensive operations by troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in Operation LAFIYA DOLE Theatre, has continued to inflict heavy casualty on the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) criminals. Among the latest exploits by the troops of Sector 1 was the ambush by troops of 121 and 151 Battalions on Tuesday, 9 February, 2021, sprang at BHTs crossing point between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction – Pulka axis.”

The statement said ” during the ambush, the troops neutralized 3 BHTs among who were 2 of the most wanted Terrorist Commanders known as “Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib. The troops also recovered 3 x GPMG, 7 x AK47 rifles, a belt of ammunition containing 446 rounds of 7.62mm, one Boxer Motorcycle and one ITEL 2160 mobile phone among others.”

“Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib were among the top BHTs commanders of the Shekau faction operating in Sambisa forest and environs. The 2 BHT Commanders have been on the Intelligence watch-list for some time. Abul-Bas was a top commander second to Abu Fatima while Ibn Habib was the BHT Commander in charge of Njimia and Parisu camps in the Sambisa Forest.”, General Yerima stated.

He further stressed that ” the neutralization of Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib by our gallant troops has inflicted a big blow on the operations of the terrorists and has further boosted the morale of own troops in the ongoing operation “TURA TAKAIBANGO”.”

While commending the troops,for this feat and other successes being recorded in the Theatre, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Ibrahim Attahiru further charged them to intensify the aggressive clearance operation in order to clear the Sambisa Forest and environs of all remnant terrorists and their collaborators.

There is no Boko Haram attack on TCN workers in Borno- Army

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has refuted social media reports going round hat five soldiers were killed, while others abducted when Boko Haram insurgents attacked Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) officials who were repairing an electricity transmission line along Maiduguri- Damaturu road on Monday.

The Nigerian Army in a statement issued on Tuesday in Maiduguri by the Army Deputy Director Public Relations,, Col. Ado Isa, said ” the report is fake and misleading” and cautioned against unverified claims and reports capable of undermining the counter insurgency campaign.

“Contrary to the rumours making the rounds, nobody was attacked on Monday as the road was cleared for the maiden visitation of the Chief of Army Staff who visited troops of Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu” he added.

Col Isa said ” no work took place on the TCN facility as the workers were asked not to go because our troops who were supposed to provide them with escort were busy preparing for the COAS visitation. To this end, the Nigerian Army wishes to unequivocally state that the claims contained in the disjointed reports on Nigerian Army troops are nothing but fake, malicious and frivolous,” .

He further said the news reports were aimed at causing unnecessary tension and instilling fear in the people mind, therefore, we request the general public to disregard the report in it’s totality.