BREAKING NEWS, Defence
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AS part of its clearance operations to mop up the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, the Nigerian troops have rescued 1890 persons held captives by the terrorists at various locations within the last two weeks.
Those rescued include 800 Nigerians refugees that crossed to Cameroon that were brought back to Banki town in Nigeria by troops of 21 Brigade on Thursday.
Troops of 121 Task Force conducted joint patrols with Cameroonian forces at Mararraba, Angwan Fada, Dale and Wizha Bokko Timit, Bokko Nasanu and Bokko Hidde up to Ngoshe in which they rescued 17 women and 28 children.
Similarly, troops of 7 Division Garrison, in a joint operations with 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and Armed Forces Special Forces at Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja, and Marya in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas rescued 350 people including 5 Cameroonian girls that were held hostages by the Boko Haram terrorists in those areas.
In a similar operation, troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, and Armed Forces Special Forces on 17th February 2016, conducted clearance operations at Kwaptara, Mijigete, Garin Boka, Mosole, Ngubdori, Ma’asa, Dukje and Gulumba in Dikwa and Bama Local Government Areas in which they rescued 195 persons held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists.
On 23rd February 2016, troops of 21 Brigade in conjunction with troops of MNJTF on clearance operations at Kumshe general area, rescued 250 and persons, mainly women and children held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists and brought back 800 refugees from Cameroon. On 23rd February 2016, troops of 7 Division rescued 150 persons at Kodo.
Troops of 21 Brigade had today intercepted over 3,000 Nigerian refugees crossing from Wambatche, Liman and Kodo Fata villages in Cameroon into Nigeria. The refugees have been moved to Bama Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp. Also, in a clearance operations troops of 25 Task Force Brigade today, at Galmasku, Muli, Chiralia, Maisani, Talala, Ajigin, Shetimalau, 1 and 2 and Dalomi also rescued 250 civilians held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists.
According to Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman,
acting director Army Public Relations, following dislodgement of Boko Haram terrorists camps in the border towns of Kumshe and Talala by joint operations of Nigerian and Cameroonian forces, the terrorists made a futile attempt on Dikwa early Thursday, February 25.
From all indications, the terrorists aimed at causing havoc at the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp located at Dikwa. However and unknown to the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, the Armed Forces Special Forces in blocking positions decisively dealt with the terrorists; killing many, recovered vehicle, arms and ammunitions.
“Unfortunately, we lost a soldier and a member of the local vigilante (Civilian JTF) during the encounter, while 3 soldiers and 4 Internally Displaced Persons sustained injuries. A military vehicle was damaged by a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) suicide bomber,” Usman said.
The troops recovered 26 bodies of the Boko Haram terrorists, while others escaped with gunshot wounds, destroyed 3 VIED, 1 MBIED and 2 Gun trucks. The gallant troops recovered 1 Gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Dushka Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Browning Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade, RPG, Tube. Others include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG,, 4 AK 47 Rifles, 3 RPG Bombs, 36 hand grenades, 1 Smoke Grenade and 8 AK-47 rifles magazines. The troops also recovered 236 rounds of 12.7mm ammunitions, 396 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions and 101 rounds of 762mm (Special), ammunitions.
The casualties have since been evacuated while the troops have been pursuing those terrorists that escaped with gunshot wounds.
It is encouraging to note that despite loss of colleague and the vigilante, the troops have maintain dominating presence in the general area and poised to continue to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, Usman said.
— Feb 26, 2016 @ 1:50 GMT
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