The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Boko Haram insurgents

  • Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Chad

    Boko Haram insurgents surrender in Chad

    Two hundred and forty ex-Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) ground troops in Sector 2 Area of Responsibility (AoR), Bagasola, Chad.

    Their surrender followed intense ground and air assaults by troops of Operation Gama Aiki, which blocked terrorists’ logistics and supply routes.

    From the latest surrender, the number has risen to 464. The former terrorists are being profiled and camped in Bagasola.

    MNJTF Commander Major General Lamidi Adeosun, who received the ex-ighters at Sector 2, lauded them for their courage to abandon terrorism.

    General Adeosun was accompanied by Coordinator/Chief of Staff of the Chadian Ground Forces and Red Barrettes Major General Ismael Hour; MNJTF’s Deputy Commander Brig-Gen. Musa Muhammad Djour; and Senior Prefect of Bagasola.

    Gen. Adeosun assured the repentant terrorists of their safety and care in the camp.

    He urged them to encourage their colleagues to stop fighting and surrender.

    Adeosun said: “This peaceful disarming and profiling of former terrorists by MNJTF forces demonstrates the extent of professionalism and adherence to International Humanitarian Laws and Laws of Armed Conflict in combat operations.”

    According to Chief Military Public Information Officer Col. Muhammadu Dole,  Gen. Adeosun donated cash and 10 bags of foodstuffs for  their welfare.

    The ex-terrorists are expected to receive training in skills and small businesses from government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.

    Gen. Adeosun also gave cash to representatives of officers and soldiers killed in Action (KIA) and Wounded in Action (WIA) during Operation Gama Aiki.

    The MNJTF headquarters gave one million CFA to each KIA family, and 500,000 CFA to each WIA officer.

  • Troops kill 30 Boko Haram insurgents

    Troops kill 30 Boko Haram insurgents

    More than 30 Boko Haram insurgents were killed when they ambushed an Army contingent in Kareto, Borno State, the Army said yesterday.

    The attack by about 100 Boko Haram members on Monday occurred during patrols by the 113 Battalion.

    The ground operation by the Army and a multinational force, with air cover by the Air Force, is to raid the North on a village-by-village basis, capture Boko Haram terrorists and free the captives.

    Cameroonian Gen. Bouba Dobekreo said this month that the ground forces were put in place to eradicate Boko Haram threat in Nigeria.

    In clashes last Friday, 34 suspected Boko Haram members were killed and 455 captives freed in Borno State.

    In Monday’s battle, 24 soldiers were injured, said Col. Sani Usman of the Nigerian Army.

    Military sources said: “Scores of Boko Haram insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds.”

    Yesterday, the Army reported a separate incident – a Boko Haram attack on the convoy of Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the Acting GOC (General Officer Commanding) in the Borno city of Bama. One soldier was killed and two injured.

    Insurgents were killed, arms and ammunition were recovered. Gen. Ezugwu was not injured.

    More than 20,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists and 2.3 million displaced since the group began violent campaign in 2009.

     

  • Parents weep as Govt delegation meets them in Chibok

    Parents weep as Govt delegation meets them in Chibok

    Parents of some of the abducted 219 Chibok school girls wept yesterday at the school premises when they received a joint federal government and Borno State delegation that visited to mark the second anniversary of the abduction.

    They read a poem to remember the girls and urged the government to release the report of the fact-finding panel set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In his statement, President Muhamad Buhari told the parents: “I share your pains.”

    The delegation to Chibok took off from Maiduguri and travelled three and a half hours through Damboa, under a heavy security cover, to Chibok by road.

    They passed through many communities that are devastated by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The team made up of ministers, state government officials, federal and state lawmakers, and others, was led by Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima.

  • Troops kill 20 insurgents in Bama

    Troops kill 20 insurgents in Bama

    More than 20 Boko Haram insurgents were killed by troops yesterday in a botched reprisal attack on Bama in Borno State.

    A soldier was killed and seven others wounded while repelling the attack.

    The Air Force patrol went after some of the fleeing insurgents and struck them to death. This could not be independently confirmed.

    But there was fresh tension in the North yesterday following the kidnap of the Emir of Bukkuyum, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman Tafida by five gunmen.

    The Director of Defence Information, Maj- Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made the disclosure in a statement, said those injured had been evacuated by air for medical attention.

    The statement said: “An attack by a band of terrorists on parts of Bama was this morning (Saturday) quelled by the Nigerian troops who dealt with them decisively.

    “Over a score of them died while others fled with wounds. Many more of the attacking terrorists also died as the air force patrol went after the fleeing ones.

    “Pursuit is still ongoing while calm has been restored and troops maintain firm control of Bama town.

    “A Hilux vehicle as well as other equipment and some weapons were captured from the attackers.

    “One soldier died while seven were wounded while repelling the attack. They have been evacuated from the combat area by air and are already receiving medical attention.

    “With most of the towns slated to be cleared of terrorists already covered, the campaign to rid rest of the communities of them is continuing with air and land operations now stepped up in the remaining designated locations in the mission area.”