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Tag: Sambisa forest

  • Army sites water project in Sambisa Forest

    Army sites water project in Sambisa Forest

    The Army has  drilled a bore hole in Sambisa Forest to enhance water supply to troops and communities in the area as part of efforts to make the forest habitable.

    The project,according to Brigadier-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations,  is also part of the ongoing clearance operation to root out the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    Kukasheka said in a statement in Maiduguri that the bore hole was in addition to road rehabilitation projects to facilitate infrastructural development in the forest and adjourning communities.

    “The Nigeria army is continuing with its clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists and making Sambisa Forest fit for lawful activities,” he said.

    “The Nigerian Army is further consolidating on the successes of Operation DEEP PUNCH II by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, through infrastructural development.

    “The army has constructed a borehole at the cleared insurgents’ strong hold ‘Sabil Huda’ camp in Sambisa forest to enhance access to safe drinking water to the troops.

    “Apart from reducing logistic effort of conveying water from one point to another by the troops, the water project will also assist the adjoining communities.”

    The army had earlier embarked on the  of Gwoza to Yamtake to Bita to Tokumbere to Sambisa roads.

    The road is expected to  open up the forest and link adjourning communities.

  • Army cites water project in Sambisa forest

    Army cites water project in Sambisa forest

    The Nigerian Army has drilled a bore hole in Sambisa forest to enhance water supply to troops and communities in the area as part of efforts to make the forest habitable.

    The project, according to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, is also part of the ongoing clearance operation to root out the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    Kukasheka said in a statement in Maiduguri, Borno State, that the bore hole was in addition to road rehabilitation projects to facilitate infrastructural development in the forest and adjourning communities.

    “The Nigeria army is continuing with its clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists and making Sambisa forest fit for lawful activities.

    “The Nigerian Army is further consolidating on the successes of Operation DEEP PUNCH II by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, through infrastructural development.

    “The army has constructed a borehole at the cleared insurgents’ strong hold ‘Sabil Huda’ camp in Sambisa forest to enhance access to safe drinking water to the troops.

    “Apart from reducing logistic effort of conveying water from one point to another by the troops, the water project will also assist the adjoining communities,” he said.

     

  • Troops commence road construction in Sambisa Forest

    Troops commence road construction in Sambisa Forest

    Troops have started building a major highway to open up Sambisa Forest, the fortress of the Boko Haram insurgents, following the defeat  of the terrorists.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said in Maduguri yesterday that the road project was to make troops to establish total dominance of the expansive forest that has been home to the insurgents for years.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the military authorities have been making repeated claims that the nine-year insurgency has been finally crushed.

    However, Boko Haram has repeatedly been packing bloody punches in communities in the northeast, the hotbed of the insurgency.

    Boko Haram, which has been fighting to enforce a strict Islamic code in Nigeria, has killed thousands, destroying the economy of the northeast and displacing millions of people.

    Nicholas, who spoke through the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, said that the road would also link adjourning communities and deny the insurgents safe heaven.

    Inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of Gwoza-Yamteke-Bita Road in Borno, Nicholas said that officers and men of the Military Engineer Corps had started rebuilding roads and bridges, destroyed by the insurgents.

    He said that the project was also aimed at encouraging the growth of social and economic activities as well as improving the wellbeing of rural dwellers.

    “Successful completion of the road will facilitate troops’ domination of the insurgents tactical ground: ‘Camp Zero’ and its environs. It will also encourage the return of life to the communities.”

    The commander solicited the support of Nigerians, especially those residing in the northeast, to fast-track the defeat of the terrorists.

    NAN recalls that the military had in January commenced rehabilitation of some highways, including the Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita-Tokumbere-Sambisa and Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita roads.

    The rebuilding of the highways is part of plans by the Federal Government to make the dreaded Sambisa Forest habitable and conducive for military training.

  • Troops building road in Sambisa Forest

    Troops building road in Sambisa Forest

    Troops are building a major highway to open up Sambisa Forest, the fortress of the Boko Haram insurgents, following the defeat of the terrorists.

    The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said yesterday that the road would help troops dominate the expansive forest.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the military authorities have been making repeated claims that the nine-year insurgency crisis has been finally crushed.

    But the sect has repeatedly been packing bloody punches in communities in the northeast.

    Boko Haram, which has been fighting to enforce a strict Islamic code in Nigeria, has killed thousands, destroyed the economy of the Northeast, and displaced millions.

    Gen. Nicholas, who spoke through the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, said the road would also link adjourning communities and deny the insurgents safe heaven.

    While inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of Gwoza-Yamteke-Bita Road in Borno, the commander said officers and men of the Military Engineering Corps had started rebuilding roads and bridges destroyed by the insurgents.

    He said: “Successful completion of the road will facilitate troops’ domination of the insurgents tactical ground – ‘Camp Zero’ and its environs. It will also encourage the return of life to the communities.”

    Gen. Nicholas solicited the support of Nigerians, especially those residing in the Northeast, to hasten the defeat of the terrorists.

    The military in January began rehabilitating some highways, including the Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita-Tokumbere-Sambisa and Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita roads.

    The Borno State government has rebuilt over 50,000 houses, clinics, classrooms, water points, police stations and other public structures destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents in the last two years, it was learnt yesterday.

    The Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Prof. Babagana Umara, stated this at a town hall meeting in Maiduguri.

    Umara said the projects were executed in liberated communities in 16 local government areas, under its Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) programme, and were designed to fast track rehabilitation and resettlement of persons displaced by the insurgency.

    He said: “For us to achieve maximum security, the military operation must be accompanied by stabilisation and intelligence.

    “The Borno State government has so far started reconstruction projects in 16 local government areas; basic amenities like water, health and education were being provided by the government. About 26 mega schools are under construction to cater for the increasing number of orphans.

    “In Bama council, the government rebuilt over 11,000 homes; and in Mobbar, Damasak, over 6, 000 homes were also rebuilt.

    “Other councils – Gwoza, Chibok and Damboa, among others, have received similar attention.”

    The commissioner hinted that the government had successfully resettled displaced persons at Konduga, Dikwa, Mafa, Gwoza, Mobbar, Askira, Ngala, Kukawa, Monguno and Damboa, among others.

  • Air Force bombs Boko Haram weapons in Sambisa

    Air Force bombs Boko Haram weapons in Sambisa

    The Nigerian Air Force Wednesday said it has destroyed artillery guns belonging to the Boko Haram Terrorists in Sambisa forest with a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement supported with a video clip that the operation was conducted after an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform had confirm the presence of the terrorists weapons in the area.

    AVM Adesanya said: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), on 6 February 2018, successfully destroyed an artillery gun belonging to the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the vicinity of Sambisa Forest.

    “A NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform had sighted the artillery gun while on a routine surveillance around the outskirt of the Sambisa general area.

    “Consequently, the surveillance ISR aircraft requested for an immediate air strike and a NAF RPA was deployed to interdict the target.

    “Overhead the target location, the RPA acquired and attacked the target, completely destroying the artillery gun and setting it ablaze.

    “NAF aircraft continue to survey the Sambisa Forest and environs as part of the ongoing coordinated air and land operations aimed at ridding the nation of the remnants of the insurgents”

  • Nigerian Army embarks on road project in Sambisa forest

    Nigerian Army embarks on road project in Sambisa forest

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had embarked on a road construction project in Sambisa Forest as part of the ongoing clearance operation to dislodge remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, made this disclosure in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said that the army had begun construction of access roads to open up the forest and link adjourning communities.

    He listed the projects as Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita-Tokumbere-Sambisa and Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita roads.

    “In its efforts to make Sambisa forest habitable and also a training ground, the Nigerian Army is following up the ongoing clearance operations with road constructions into the main heartland of the forest and adjoining communities.

    “Already, work has commenced in earnest on Gwoza-Yamteke-Bitta road, as well as the reconstruction of the road from Gwoza-Yamteke-Bitta-Tokumbere, leading into Tokum forest”.

    The military authorities had set up a military training facility in Sambisa Forest after dislodging the insurgents’ tactical ground at Camp Zero.

    Also, the Borno Government on Monday restricted vehicular movement on three major roads in the state, to prevent fleeing insurgents escaping military offensive from infiltrating into the communities.

    NAN

  • Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday warned against providing sanctuary to fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The army also called on the people to report suspicious persons in their communities to security agencies nearest to them.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts to avoid the ongoing military offensive against them.

    Read also: Army urges vigilance against suicide bombers

    “This is to warn residents in the North-East not to harbour the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who are trying to flee from their waterloo.

    “Credible intelligence revealed that several of the insurgents have resorted to taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts in some communities along their escape routes from the Sambisa Forest in order to evade the sustained bombardments from air and ground troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Any unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons especially in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe found providing safe sanctuaries or any assistance to the criminals will be treated as accomplices and given same treatment as  terrorists,” he said.

    The director appealed to the people to cooperate with the military by reporting any fleeing terrorists immediately to the nearest security agency or call the Nigerian Army Information Call Centre Number 193.

    NAN

  • Borno cancels first Sambisa anniversary  

    Borno cancels first Sambisa anniversary  

    Borno State Government said it has cancelled the celebration of the first anniversary of the capture of Sambisa Forest from Boko Haram by the military.

    In a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mohammed Bulama explained that the state  the that cancelled the anniversary for this year  “on the ground that 22ndDecember of this year falls on a Friday which coincidentally dovetails into a 4-day work free period occasioned by the Christmas Festivities, a declaration of the day as public holiday will invariably deny Nigerian workers resident in Borno State, especially those who will observe and celebrate Christmas, the opportunity to withdraw their December salaries from the banks”.

    He noted however, that the holiday will be strictly observed from 2018”.

    The Nation recalled that ‎Governor Kashim Shettima had in March, 2017 pronounced the declaration of 22nd December every year as Public Holiday to commemorate Sambisa Memorial Day when Nigerian Military took control of the Sambisa Forest on 22nd December, 2016.

    “The purpose of this declaration is not only to give us a special opportunity to remember the victims of the Boko Haram terrorism as well as the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, members of other security agencies and volunteers who lost their lives in the fight against the insurgents, but also to celebrate the strength and the victory of our gallant Armed Forces”, Dr. Bulama said.

    The statement read; “The decision to reconsider the declaration of the public holiday this year is singularly dictated by the desire of the Borno State Government not to impose avoidable and unnecessary hardship on workers and considering the importance of workers’ salaries to the economy of the State, the general citizenry by extension.

    “While Government sincerely regrets whatever inconvenience this decision might have caused members of the general public, it wishes to assure Bornolites that this public holiday will be strictly observed from next year, 2018 Insha Allah. The Government wishes to use this opportunity to commiserate with all victims of the Boko Haram insurgency, especially the families of tens of thousands who lost their lives, including the families of our fallen heroes of the Armed Forces and Civilian JTF.

    “His Excellency also implores on both the Islamic Ulamas and the Christian clergy to organize prayers for peace, harmony and prosperity to reign in our state, the rest of the north-east and Nigeria in general, and for the repose of the souls of all the victims of this ungodly insurgency and our fallen heroes. Borno State Government deeply appreciate and commend all members of the Armed Forces, other security agencies and members of the Civilian JTF for their gallantry and sacrifice in the war against terror, which, Insha Allah, will soon come to an end. Finally, the Government wishes ‎it’s concerned citizens Merry Christmas, and a meritorious New Year ahead,” Dr. Bulama said.

  • Troops capture Boko Haram commander, kill four

    Troops capture Boko Haram commander, kill four

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have captured a Boko Haram Commander and neutrilized for members of the sect in a clearance operation at fringes of Sambisa forest, the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig. General Sani Usman, has said.

    In a statement issued in Abuja, General Usman said the Boko Haram Commander is currently under-going interrogation, while the troops also rescued 212 persons alive from the terrorists.

    The statement reads: “Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army, Sector 1, Operation LAFIYA DOLE,  in furtherance of the ongoing clearance operations in conjunction with 22 Mobile Strike Team and some Civilian JTF, has on  Tuesday, 28th November 2017 achieved a remarkable feat.

    “During the operation, they were able to clear Boko Haram terrorists from their hideouts located at Kala, Jawara, Mada, Mika, Gakulba and Kutilax (Sanga), northern fringes of Sambisa forest and  fringes of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “At Sanga, the terrorists on sighting the approaching troops from their observation post, they dashed into the adjoining Amchada forest.

    “The relentless troops pursued them further and neutralized 4 Boko Haram terrorists after a serious exchange of gun fire, captured one of the terrorists commanders, the “Ameer” of Chawa, Amman Judee alive and rescued 212 persons held hostage by the terrorists.

    “The captured terrorist’s leader is undergoing further interrogation while the rescued persons are being documented and the underaged children were administered oral polio vaccines”.

  • Air Force raids degrade Boko Haram insurgents–COAS

    Air Force raids degrade Boko Haram insurgents–COAS

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Friday said the service had carried out air raids causing heavy damage to the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    Sadiq told newsmen in Maiduguri that several air raids were conducted under the Operation Ruwan Wuta II, designed as a final onslaught on the insurgents.

    “The whole idea is to further degrade the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents and to make sure that we get them where they are hiding.

    “And in the last few days it has been very successful, we have been able to substantially effect the necessary damage and frustrate any effort for them to re-group in certain areas of Sambisa Forest”.

    Sadiq disclosed that the Federal Government had procured aircrafts and helicopters to enhance air operations in the campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents as well as protect lives and property.

    He said that the newly acquired jets and helicopters would soon be deployed to the front line to enhance the counter-insurgency operation in the region.

    The Chief of Air Staff added that the service had constructed residential accommodation and upgraded the apron at 105 Composite Group, Maiduguri to accommodate the increasing number of war planes.

    Sadiq explained that the projects were designed to provide enabling environment and decent accommodation to improve the wellbeing of the servicemen.

    “The Federal Government has approved more aircraft for us and we are thinking ahead to see that we have the accommodation for those coming with these helicopters and aircrafts the government has procured for us.

    “With more aircrafts you have to expand the parking space; we have reactivated a quite a number and more are coming, what we thought was to quickly expand the apron so that we have enough space for the aircrafts that are coming to be able to park.

    “For us in the Air Force; we are always working, training, expanding infrastructure, building capacity for both the pilots, technicians and engineers”.

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    While lauding the government’s gesture, Sadiq also commended the servicemen for their dedication and gallantry in the counter-insurgency operation. (NAN)