Tag: insurgents

Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar has debunked claims that Nigerian soldiers on Monday fled from Boko Haram terrorists during an attack in Borno State.

BBC Africa had reported that Nigerian soldiers fled from the fierce attack from the terrorists, who reportedly carried sophisticated weapons.

But Abubakar, who was in Lagos to inaugurate five projects completed by the Logistics Command, including the installation of executive seats on the C-130 aircraft, insisted that the military had made substantial progress in the war.

This is just as he said the Air Force would take delivery of more platforms, following government’s approval.

The AirForce chief said the military was at the tail end of its operation in the Northeast, adding that the insurgents could no longer move freely the way they used to in 2014 and early last year.

Abubakar said: “Compare the situation in 2014 or the beginning of 2015 and today. You will agree with me that there is a world of difference.

“Then, Boko Haram was moving in convoys of 15 to 20 vehicles from one community to the other. Such a thing is not happening again today.

“I really do not want to comment on what happened on Monday because I don’t have details. But generally, I can tell you that we are making substantial progress in dealing with this problem. We are at the tail end of the Northeast operations.”

The Air Force chief noted  that the night training, which began in Lagos on Monday, was a routine exercise.

“Training is a continuous process for every Air Force. From time to time, we have programmes we undertake to ensure that our officers and men are in the best of shapes to  deal with security challenges. It is just a routine training,” he said.

Praising the Logistics Command for doing an excellent job, Air Marshal Abubakar said he was in Lagos to assess infrastructure and ensure things were going well.

He said: “Lagos is logistics base of the Air Force. No matter how excellent an operational plan is, if it is not backed by logistics, you will run into difficulties.“

Inaugurating the drainage and primary school classrooms at the 105 Communication Depot in Shasha, The Air Force chief said flood had always been a recurring decimal and a major problem confronting the base since its establishment.

“When it rains, especially at the peak of the rainy seasons, the roads within the depot are impassable. We also lost our fence on several occasions in the past as a result of flood.”

The Air Officer Commanding  (AOC), Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Mohammed, said the projects would motivate the personnel to continuously put in their best for the attainment of the Force’ objectives.

He said: “For instance, the avionics overhaul centre is expected to reinforce our culture of self – reliance and prudent management of resources in conformity with one of the key drivers of the CAS’ vision.

“During the installation of the test benches of the Overhaul Centre, some of the C-130H aircraft rotables were repaired. They include Altitude Direction Indicator, Autopilot Amplifier and ATC Transponder. This is a clear indication that the dividend derivable from the project is enormous.”

Also inaugurated were the rehabilitated water system and reconstructed 70 septic tanks at the Sam Ethnam Base as well as reroofing of vehicle shades and reactivation of Jet-A1 tankers at 407 Equipment Supply Depot.

 

…as thousands displaced by Boko Haram in two weeks in Chad

In continuation of the counter-attacks against Boko Haram, troops have recaptured Gudumbali in Borno State and cleared the town of insurgents.

The troops also survived land mines along Dikwa route, although they lost two soldiers while two others were critically injured.

These disclosures were contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, on the renewed campaign against Boko Haram.

He said troops from 7 Brigade and 5 Brigade had bloody encounters with the insurgents in Borno State.

The statement reads: “As part of the continued offensive operations against the Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 7 Brigade have today entered and cleared Gudumbali town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the operation, quite a number of the terrorists were killed their weapons and equipment were destroyed. The troops are currently doing clearance operations in the general area.

“It should be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force had inflicted heavy damage on the terrorists’ camps within the general area last Monday.”

The statement explained how some troops escaped landmines along Dikwa Road in the same state.

It added: “In a related development, troops of 5 Brigade Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) Unit, while advancing towards Dikwa, ran into landmines buried by the terrorists.

“Unfortunately, two soldiers lost their lives, while two others were critically injured. The bodies of the two gallant soldiers have been evacuated to the rear, while the other two wounded soldiers have also been evacuated and are receiving treatment at the military hospital.

“The unit also lost a Mowag Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) due to the buried landmine between old Marte and Kerenoa junction in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

“Despite this sad event, the troops are not deterred as they continued their advance, pursuing the terrorists to their enclaves in Sambisa forest.

“Similarly, it is important to note that troops in the various formations and units in Operation LAFIYA DOLE are in high spirits and are more determined to destroy the terrorists’ camps and enclaves.”

Meanwhile, around 40,000 people have fled their homes in Chad in the last two weeks following attacks by the terror sect, Boko Haram,according to  Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The  insurgency  has already stoked  an escalating humanitarian crisis in the region around Lake Chad.

MSF  said many of the displaced people have gathered in makeshift camps where its staff were treating patients with diarrhoea, malaria and respiratory infections, as well as malnourished children.

“Some pregnant women have walked several kilometers in searing heat to seek medical attention,” said Federica Alberti, MSF’s head of mission in Chad. “People are living without proper shelter, and do not have access to food or clean drinking water.”

The Lake Chad region has become increasingly unstable since 2013, with Boko Haram violence triggering a growing crisis. At least 1,300 people have died in fighting so far this year in the region, MSF said.

In neighbouring Niger, refugees and displaced people face food shortages and an increase in waterborne diseases as the conflict compounds a fragile humanitarian situation, MSF said.