By Joy Odor
The Nigerian Military through its military operations had eliminated 34 criminal elements, destroyed 12 bandits’ camps as well as logistics storehouses, among many others successes in the North East and West of the country.
This was in a continuation of the military clearance operations to get rid of criminal elements to pave the way for the relative peace and stability for the agricultural and economic activities to thrive in the country.
The Co-ordinator, Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. John Enenche while disclosing this in a routine media briefing on the military operations in the country said the various operations have progressed satisfactorily in all the theatres from 13-19 August, 202.
He noted that, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria were resolute in their endeavor to end the BHT/ISWAP menace in the North East and Banditry in the North West.
This, he said, was evident in the number of unprecedented successes recorded as well as the reduction of criminal activities in both the North West and North Eastern part of the country hence the dominance of the military activities in the zones.
Gen. Enenche said, the troops had intensified its operations as well as dominated in the various theatres of operations recording a monumental giant strides in the zones.
According to Enenche, in the North East…
Gen. Enenche addressing Defence correspondents.
“The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole conducted comprehensive precise strikes, to mark the launching of its subsidiary operation Hail Storm.
“Several air interdiction operations were conducted at identified Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) targets in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest areas of Borno State.
“These attacks were conducted at Tumbuma Baba, on 16 August 2020, one of the Island settlements on the fringes of the Lake Chad.
“The logistics facilities of BHT at Bukar Meram on the fringes of the Lake Chad were also destroyed on 17 August 2020.
“The attack on the locations scored devastating hits on the settlement, killing not fewer than 20 terrorists and destroying their structures.
“Several BHT and ISWAP commanders were also killed and some of their dwellings destroyed at Boboshe, a village along the river line on the eastern part of the Sambisa Forest.”
He also explained that, troops of Army Super Camp 9, on 16 August 2020, engaged BHTs and ISWAP elements during clearance operations at Dikwa LGA of Borno State.
“During the operation, 2 terrorists were neutralized while one AK 47 rifle and 8 rounds of 7.62mm (special) were recovered.
“Similarly, troops of Strong Response Area, Pulka while on a fighting patrol, encountered and engaged BHTs/ISWAP elements along Road Pulka-Firgi-Banki Junction in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.”
He said, a terrorist was neutralized while 2 fully loaded AK 47 rifles, two 36 hand grenades, one motorcycle and IED materials were recovered by the troops in the process.
Explaining further, Enenche said, troops of 144 Battalion had also on ambush operation encountered and engaged BHTs/ISWAP elements at Wagga Mangoro and Wagga Lawal in the same LGA.
“The terrorists fled due to superior fire power of the troops. In another encounter troops of 151 Task Force Battalion neutralized 2 terrorists along Road Banki-Pulka in Bama LGA of Borno State.”
In the North West zone, the Coordinator said, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had intensified clearance operation with remarkable successes within the period.
Explaining further, Enenche said, troops of Op Sahel Sanity destroyed 12 bandit camps, arrest 3 notorious illegal arms syndicate, eliminated 14 armed bandits as well as recovered cache of arms among many other successes recorded within the period.
He explained that the suspects were currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation before being handed over to the prosecuting agency.
This unprecedented achievements, according to him, were borne out of the determination, resilience and commitment of the troops and other security agents in a bid to creating a favourable and conducive environment for farming and economic activities to flourish.
