*conducts 3,162 Patrol Operations
*carries outs .1,197 ambushes detonates 107 IEDs, rescued 2 Chibok Schoolgirls in 6 weeks
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Nigerian military has disclosed that a new camp has been established at Gongolon, outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis for camping of voluntarily surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs), following the increasing number of the surrendered Insurgents and their families, who have been voluntarily surrendering to the military in large numbers, despite hindrances from some of their leaders, popularly known as amir.
The Theater Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters, Major General Chris G. Musa disclosed this on Friday evening, while addressing journalists at the theater command headquarters conference hall, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri.
General Musa added, “during the rainy season, the operation normally goes down due to rainfall and flood but this time around, we maintained the tempo so that terrorists will not return and that is what COAS has told us.
“As such, we remain committed. We remained focused and determined to continue to do the needful.
“I commend the members of the press for your continuous support the peace building, support to our operations and for educating the public on the importance of peaceful co-existence.
“The theater command officers and soldiers remain focused and determined to achieve the mandate of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yahaya Umar Farouq anytime ,” Musa said.
The Theater Commander also assured that the troops are ready and morale high to clear all the hideouts and enclaves of the terrorists in Sambisa Forest, who have turned to food looters and criminals to farmers and villagers in search of food, attacking innocent villagers.
General Musa explained further that the terrorists have continued to surrender.
“Their families have also continued to surrender in the last six weeks in the areas of Dikwa, Banki and even Maiduguri,” he said.
He noted that however, some terrorists denied those who intended to surrender but the military has set up a task force against those that hinder them from surrendering or due to information made, vowing to rescue more in captivity and hand them over to the state government.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Waidi Shaibu, said the troops rescued another two of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and other 99 civilians who their freedom from Boko Haram terrorists camps in the bush.
He added that the victims were rescued from different locations in Sambisa Forest, disclosing that the rescued Chibok schoolgirls are Miss Yagana Pogu, a 24-year old girl and a mother of new born twins and two other children; (boys. She is from Mbalala town of Chibok LGA of Borno State. rescued on September 29, 2022 during clearance operation in Bama axis.
Miss Rejoice Sanki, a 24 -year old girl and mother of two children, who hails from Ngula village of Chibok LGA was also rescued on October 2, 2022 around Kauri clearance operation axis.
The Army Intelligence Commander, JTF Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Colonel Obinna Azuikpe while briefing officers and journalists on successes recorded within the period under review, 7th July to 21st October 2022 at the Conference Hall of the theater command, said out of the 99 other abducted civilians rescued from the captivity of the boko Haram terrorists, 47 are women, 7 are minors and 21 are male children.
Colonel Azuikpe added that a total of 3,162 patrols were carried out, 1,197 ambushes were conducted , 3 encounters with Boko Haram terrorists where nine soldiers were killed and 20 injured, two CJTF killed and three injured, a total 107 Boko Haram logistics and arms suppliers were intercepted, while a total of 10 IEDs were detonated which were planted by the Boko Haram terrorists and logistics destroyed.
“On 19 September, troops with CJTF were able to rescue 99 persons comprising women, children and men,” he said.
The army further said a total of 81, 131 Boko Haram terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian military so far, while about 96 Chibok schoolgirls are said to still be in boko Haram captivity, while efforts are being made to rescue them safely by security agencies and government.
The Intelligence Commander explained further that in the dry and harvest seasons, there were some targeted attacks on farmers, stressing that a lot of attacks in North East were targeted against farmers as they harvested their farm produce.
He said, “the troops have continued to carry out logistic strangulation from 9th of September to date. Overview of the Nigerian military operations among others, indicate offensive air attacks during the clearance operations, ground operations and fireball among others in all the Mandara mountain, Gwoza, Tumbuktu triangle, Wothi of the North Eastern region along the Tumbus.
“Our air surveillance has carried out massive activities at the area known as Bama, Mandara, Jinie Chikede. Areas in Sambisa triangle. Interdiction gathered a lot of information on the terrorists location, hideouts among others.
“On 12 September, troops of 7 Div neutralized overall commander and his deputy, Abu and Bayiram. 15 September, one Abu Ubaida was neutralized, a lot of weapons were recovered. On 17 September in Damasak, troops cleared ambush, neutralized terrorists and recovered weapons. On 18 of September, terrorists were neutralized.
Troops of 185 Battalion with CJTF also neutralized two terrorists and also recovered weapons
“On the 10th of this month, troops of 3 Battalion encountered terrorists, three soldiers were wounded in action and troops overpowered the terrorists and recovered AK 47 rifles.
“3,162 patrols were conducted within the six weeks. Operation Hadin Kai JTF intercepted and carried out massive arrests of logistics suppliers and arrested many connivers,” Col. Azuikpe said.
