The Nigeria Army said it has recorded more victories against elements of Boko Haram and other criminal elements in this month of May across the country
This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche who described the victories as a clear demonstration of loyalty and patriotism of the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole as they inch towards the final and decisive defeat of the insurgents.
He said on 13 May 2020, troops of Strong Response Area Pulka in conjunction with elements of Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force executed a successful ambush operation against some marauding Boko Haram criminals along Pulka – Bokko – Kirawa Road about 17 Kilometers from Pulka Town in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. At the end of the well executed ambush, 6 Boko Haram criminals were neutralized while 10 bicycles, food items and other logistics were captured. Most importantly, the troops recovered a piece of paper containing the contacts of suspected Boko Haram collaborators.
Relatedly, Gen. Enenche said on 12 May 2020, troops of Strong Response Area Ngoshe, while on a clearance operation to Response Area Bokko Kudele made contact with some Boko Haram criminals. The criminal insurgents fled up to Mandara Mountains due to the troops’ overwhelming firepower. Nevertheless, the gallant troops destroyed the criminals’ enclave as well as the logistics therein.
Similarly, the statement said in one of the most devastating onslaughts against Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province’s identified hideouts, on 11 May 2020, troops of Army Super Camp Malam Fatori in conjunction with elements of Niger Republic Special Forces supported by the Air Component of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Niger Republic Intelligent Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms conducted Artillery Fire Mission to Tumbun Fulani with top-notch precision and lethal fire on targets. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment reported heavy casualty inflicted on the terrorists as well as the destruction of their combat vehicles and logistics base.
Other parts of the release reads:
Elsewhere in the North Central Region, on 13 May 2020, acting on credible information, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN swooped on a suspected militia group’s armoury at Boltak Village in Kadarko District of Wase LGA of Plateau State. Although no arrest was made
nonetheless, the vigilant troops discovered one AK 47 Rifle, one G3 Rifle, one AK 47 Rifle magazine loaded with 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one G3 Rifle magazine loaded with 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition”.
TROOPS OF STRONG RESPONSE AREA PULKA IN CONJUNCTION WITH ELEMENTS OF BORNO STATE CIVILIAN JOINT TASK FORCE NEUTRALISED 6 BOKO HARAM CRIMINALS, RECOVERED 10 BICYCLES, FOOD ITEMS AND OTHER LOGISTICS DURING AMBUSH OPERATION ALONG PULKA – BOKKO – KIRAWA ROAD.
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Relatedly, on 14 May 2020, troops of Sectors 1 and 2 of Operation WHIRL STROKE with the support of a Nigerian Air Force helicopter conducted clearance operations simultaneously along 2 Axis in Guma and Logo LGAs of Benue State. The operation successfully dislodged armed herdsmen who have been terrorising the general area.
Also, earlier on 12 May 2020, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed in Guma LGA of Benue State trailed a group of bandits to their make shift Camp close to River Benue who were believed to have attacked Agasha Village killing 2 innocent residents. However, on reaching the criminals’ hideout, troops engaged and neutralized 4 of the assailants as well as recovered 2 AK 47 Rifles, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 65 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
In the South – South Region, on 12 May 2020, troops of 146 Battalion (Main) deployed in Bonny Island raided and destroyed an identified pirates/militants hideout in Arugbanama Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State. During the operation, the gallant troops exchanged fire with the militants/pirates resulting in the neutralization of 2 of the criminals as well as recovery of one AK 47 Rifle, one Pump Action Rifle, one Pistol, 7 AK 47 Rifle magazines, one Pistol magazine, one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 102 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 3 rounds of 9mm ball ammunition, one live cartridge, one camouflage wear, one head gear, one speed boat and 4 – 85 Horse Power engines.
Similarly, in the wee hours of 12 May 2020, troops of 3 Battalion (Rear) while on routine patrol arrested a suspected criminal named Stephen Eboje along Warri-Sapele Road in Uvwie LGA of Delta State and recovered one AK 47 Rifle from the suspect.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai who has been in the Theatre with the troops since the month of March this year congratulates the gallant troops for their resilience, courage and dedication to the noble cause of defending our fatherland against the criminal elements. He further encourages them to continue to be steadfast and ruthless against the enemies of our nation.
