The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insurgents

  • Air Force fighter jets kill insurgents

    Air Force fighter jets kill insurgents

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it killed many Boko Haram insurgents and destroyed their structures following air strikes in the fringes of Borno, near Lake Chad.

    The bombardments were conducted with fighter jets and helicopter gunships, with the aim of weakening insurgents and neutralising them from carrying out deadly attacks.

    Director of Public Relations and Information Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, in a statement yesterday, said the air interdictions were conducted after a routine Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission showed a strong presence of terrorists in Tumbun Rago and Bogumeri, Borno State.

    The statement reads: “The Air Force has intensified its air operations in the Northeast, and in the process, neutralised many Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in Tumbun Rago, a settlement on the northern fringes of Borno State, bordering Lake Chad.

    “Boko Haram activities were sighted in Tumbun Rago during a routine ISR mission on December 20; the area is occupied by the Albarnawi faction.

    “Accordingly, fighter aircrafts and helicopters were detailed for air interdiction on December 21.

    “The aircrafts took turns to unleash their armament on the location. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) of the attacks showed that the targeted structures were destroyed, causing fire within the location and neutralising many insurgents in the process.

    “Thereafter, the recently acquired helicopter gunships carried out mop-up attacks on a few fleeing insurgents. On December 22, the NAF neutralised a large gathering of terrorists Southeast of Bogumeri, also in Borno State, after a convoy of terrorists on motorcycles were trailed to the location.

    “The intensification of air operations by the NAF is aimed at further reducing the will of the terrorists to continue their nefarious activities, while also creating the needed advantage for own surface forces to effectively operate.”

  • Mama Boko Haram renews pledge to de-radicalize insurgents

    Mama Boko Haram renews pledge to de-radicalize insurgents

    After going silent for sometimes, Barr. Aisha Wakil alias Mama Boko Haram is back in the news again.

    Wakil has renewed her commitment to fight to end the Boko Haram insurgency with the lunching of her NGO Thursday in Maiduguri.

    The NGO – Complete Care and Aid Foundation, according to Wakil is expected to provide a free feeding centre, fight drug abuse and substance addiction, De-radicalization, sex hawking, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and de-worming among the displaced people in Borno State and beyond.

    The launch which took place at the Women Development Centre in Maiduguri was chaired by the former chairman Kondoga Local Government and former Senator Borno Central, Kaka Malam Yale, with Dr. Mari Gubio as the guest Speaker of the occasion.

    The Guest Speaker, Dr. Mari Gubio described Wakil as a woman who almost lost her life in attempt to achieving peace at the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state.

    He called on people to give maximum support to Complete Care and Aid Foundation, stressing that, “I am confident that Barr. Aisha Wakil is one personality that can do a lot of things for her NGO. I say this because we have been through this struggle together and I can vouch for her integrity. At a point she has to sale even her assets to provide care for Boko Haram victims in the state.

    “I am sure that if she is fully supported by well-meaning individuals within the state and outside, she will make a big impact in solving the problems of Boko Haram in the state,” Dr. Mari said.

    Dr. Mari also used the occasion to caution the activities of some unscrupulous INGOs and NGOs operating in the state, while calling on the people to be mindful of the assistance they get from some of the humanitarian actors operating in the state.

    He regretted that level of destruction that the Boko Haram insurgency has inflicted on the people of Borno State, adding that the people must take responsibility and rise above the challenges of the crisis to reclaim their land.

    In his addresss, Gov. Kashim Shettima who was represented by the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment, Hajiya Ina Galadima said, the birth of the NGO is coming at the right time when Borno is in dire need of partners to curb the problems attendant from Boko Haram insurgency.

    Gov. Kashim directed the NGO to immediately draw out MoUs and strategic partnership with relevant ministries in the state with the full support of the Government of Borno State.

    Earlier while explaining in detail some of the projects to be executed by the Complete Care and Aid Foundation, the Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Prince Lawal Shoyode said the Foundation will embark into massive farming activities that will create job opportunities for the teaming youth of the state and establish bakeries to will take care of the free feeding program, adding that, their foundation has formed strong synergy with the tricycle riders in the state and the NDLEA to fight drug abuse across the state.

    Over 3 million naira was realised at the lunching.

  • Troops kill seven insurgents in Borno

    Troops of Sector I, Operation Lafiya Dole, in Borno State, have killed seven Boko Haram insurgents in different operations, it was learnt yesterday.

    A statement by the Army Director of Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said troops engaged the insurgents at Miyanti Darel Jamel and Sabsawa axis of the state.

    The statement reads: “Troops of Sector I, Operation Lafiya Dole, deployed at Miyanti, while on fighting patrol along Miyanti-Darel Jamel, encountered Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

    “The troops engaged the terrorists and neutralised four of them. Machetes, knives and N5,500 was recovered from the insurgents.

    “Meanwhile, troops of 202 Battalion, Sector I, Operation Lafiya Dole, in the early hours of Monday, ambushed unsuspecting Boko Haram terrorists along Sabsawa axis.

    “The troops neutralised three insurgents trying to cross between Tangos and recovered AK-47 rifles and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED).”

    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it bombed Boko Haram targets in the Northeast, killing many insurgents through air strikes.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Force carried out a series of interdictions and destroyed Boko Haram structures in Bogumeri and Gwoza towns.

    The statement reads: “In furtherance of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on November 24, neutralised a large gathering of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in Bogumeri, Borno State.

    “A NAF platform, while on routine Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), had discovered the gathering. Consequently, NAF fighter aircrafts were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the target, in quick succession. The Alpha Jet fighter aircraft attacked the target with bombs, killing the insurgents and setting some structures ablaze.

     

  • 11 insurgents killed in Borno

    11 insurgents killed in Borno

    Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade, on Operation Lafiya Dole, in joint operations with the Air Force and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),  killed 11 insurgents and destroyed a bomb-making factory at Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, it was learnt yesterday.

    A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, said the troops attacked insurgents’ hideouts at Mogole, Ngaiwa, Tongule, and Warsele villages in Ngala.

    According to him, their logistics base, a workshop at Ngaiwa village, and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Tongul, were destroyed.

    He added that 85 persons were rescued, while a gun truck, four suicide bomb vests, IED making materials, three dane guns, a Barretta pistol, 22 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five motorcycles, 13 bicycles and a wheelbarrow were recovered.

    The statement reads: “On October 24, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade, in their daily clearance of Boko Haram remnants, especially in northern parts of Borno, carried off an offensive on suspected Boko Haram hideouts at Mogol, Ngaiwa, Tongule and Warsele villages in Ngala Local Government Area.

    “The troop worked with the 22 Mobile Strike Team, the Civilian JTF, and Air Force, following a tip off. The operation was successful.”

     

  • Troops kill two insurgents in Sambisa Forest

    Troops of the Army Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs), a component of Operation Lafiya Dole, have killed two Boko Haram insurgents attempting to enter Sambisa forest in Borno State.

    A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Kingsley Samuel, said the insurgents were killed in an ambush.

    It said: “The Army Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) of Operation Lafiya Dole’s resolve to rout remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) has yielded another result, with troops successfully ambushing unsuspecting terrorists, about 10.45 pm, on Friday, October 6, while they attempted to cross into Sambisa Forest, from Mayanti village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops sprung the ambush on the terrorists and neutralised two of them, while others escaped with injuries.

    “Two bags of maize were recovered from the site. The MSTs, particularly in Bama, since its inauguration by Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai, has been a potent deadly mobile lethal force engaging and neutralising the BHTs in several staging areas.”

  • Four insurgents killed in Borno

    Troops of 151 and 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade, and 22 Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole, Borno State, yesterday killed four Boko Haram insurgents.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said one of the insurgents was killed in an ambush on Firgi-Pulka road in Bama.

    Others were killed as they tried to penetrate a military barrier disguised as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    The statement reads: “Troops of 151 and 202 Battalions of 21 Brigade, under Operation Lafiya Dole, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation Deep Punch II, in separate but well-coordinated attacks, simultaneously on Wednesday, October 4, about 10 am, laid ambush on unsuspecting Boko Haram Terrorists on Firgi-Pulka road, in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, causing the terrorists to abandon their weapons and flee.

    “One general multi-purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and a motorcycle were recovered from the ambush site. An unexploded ordnance was also detonated. However, the troops pursued, neutralised one terrorist and recovered six bundles of zinc.

    “Also, crack troops of 22 Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole, about 6 pm, yesterday, intercepted three insurgents disguised as IDPs and trying to infiltrate a military barrier.

    “The troops engaged the insurgents, forcing them to hastily detonate their suicide vest. Two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, with several rounds of ammunition, among other items, were recovered.”

  • Air Force destroys more insurgents’ structures

    Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has destroyed more structures in Borno State used by Boko Haram insurgents as meeting points, spokesman Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said yesterday.

    Adesanya, in a statement at NAF headquarters in Abuja, said on the fourth day of intensive bombardments of terrorists’ hideouts at Sambisa, Air Force conducted interdiction on Boko Haram’s settlement at Njimia on September 10.

    He said: “NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms had confirmed that structures used by the insurgents as meeting points were in the location.

    “The interdiction was conducted by Alpha Jet and F-7Ni aircraft, which attacked the location with bombs.

    “Subsequent battle damage assessment showed the targeted insurgents’ structures were destroyed as a result of the attacks.”

    Adesanya said the attacks were planned to break the will and capability of the terrorists to regroup against the Air Force.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that buildings used by the insurgents in the state, especially at Sambisa, had been destroyed by the military in the newly-launched operation.

  • Insurgents killed as Air Force, Army bomb village

    Boko Haram insurgents were yesterday killed in two successive air strikes by Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in an ambush by troops of 151 Battalion, 21 Brigade.

    The strikes were carried out at Zanari, Borno State, while troops of Operation Lafiya Dole attacked terrorists in an ambush at Bocost, on Ngurosoye-Bama Road, Borno State.

    A statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the insurgents were hit by two aircraft in rapid succession, with structures housing them going up in flames.

    NAF operations were supported by video footages released by Air Commodore Adesanya.

    He said: “In furtherance of the recently-commenced Operation RUWAN WUTA, on September 7, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) conducted air interdiction on structures, with two hoisted Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) Organisation flags at Zanari, a location with significant BHT presence at the northern fringes of Borno State bordering Lake Chad.

    “A number of BHTs had earlier been sported, from a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform, entering the buildings, apparently for meetings.

    “The F-7Ni and Alpha Jet aircraft were detailed to attack the target. Overhead the location, the target was acquired and engaged by the two aircraft in rapid succession. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment showed the targeted structures went up in flames, killing occupants.

    “The objective of Operation RUWAN WUTA is to further degrade the capability of the BHTs, thereby preventing them from regrouping to cause havoc for our surface forces.

    “The operation also aims at softening the ground for our surface forces to subsequently move in and conduct mopping up operations.”

    Army spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman said in a statement: “The troops of 151 Battalion, 21 Brigade, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, at the early hours of September 10, laid a successful ambush on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ crossing point at Bocost, on Ngurosoye -Bama Road, Borno State.

    “The troops neutralised a large number of Boko Haram terrorists, while others sustained gunshot injuries.

    “The troops recovered AK 47 rifle, registered as 1029, AK 47 magazine, 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special, three bicycles, four empty jerry-cans, a cutlass and N5,600 from the insurgents.”

  • 68 Boko Haram surrender in three weeks – Army

    68 Boko Haram surrender in three weeks – Army

    The army has disclosed that a total of 68 Boko Haram insurgents have given up their intention to fight against the Nigerian forces at different locations in the theatre in the last three weeks.

    According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations in the Theatre Command, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu also mentioned that heavy onslaughts on the terrorists’ enclaves have been intensified in air and artillery bombardment denying them of logistics supplies.

    Col. Nwachukwu in the statement called on the insurgents to have a second thought on thier ideologies and surrender to any military location in the theatre while assuring them of their safety and protection from the army.

    The Statement reads; “Troops in the last few weeks have intensified onslaught against Boko Haram Terrorists through coordinated air and artillery bombardments of BHT enclaves across the Theatre.

    “These bombardments are backed by long range patrols and ambushes targeted at preventing fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists from escaping and also denying them access to logistics supply. The sustained operations have further pushed the terrorist group to the brink of defeat with many of its foot soldiers surrendering to troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

    “So far, a total of 68 insurgents have denounced terrorists activities within the last 3 weeks. These surrendered terrorists also reported that many of the enclaves have become untenable and life has become unbearable for the Boko Haram Terrorists owing to the blockade emplaced by troops and the sustained bombardments. Those who have surrendered and turned a new leaf are currently undergoing rehabilitation and de-radicalization programmes organized by the Federal Government through Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.

    “Undoubtedly, the ongoing operations by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE are yielding results and have put enormous pressure on the Boko Haram Terrorists.  Evidently, this has contributed to the recent plea by one of the factional leaders of the group calling for international support.

    “The Theatre Command therefore urges all Boko Haram insurgents to have a rethink and discard the hypocritical ideologies espoused by their leaders. They can surrender to any military location nearest to them. The Theatre Command assures them of their safety and well-being if they surrender willingly”.

  • Two killed as insurgents ambush travellers

    Two persons have been confirmed dead, while three sustained injuries yesterday as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members opened fire on travellers on Damaturu Biu highway, security and military sources have said.

    A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists had buried IEDs along the highway.

    Our correspondent learnt the travellers took off from Damaturu on their way to Biu located 21 kilometres east of Damaturu when they encountered the insurgents midway into the journey.

    The three injured were taken to Damaturu Specialists’ Hospital by security forces.

    A hospital source at the Accident and Emergency ward of Damaturu Specialists’ Hospital confirmed that three people have been treated and referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe.