Encomium
– Military recapture more towns, communities recover weapons as elections draw near
The end of Boko Haram appears to be drawing near by the hour as the joint military bombardment involving Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon is striking at the heart of the terrorists’ base in the north east.
Despite reports of suicide bombings last week which sadly claimed over 50 lives and the insurgents reportedly pledging allegiance to international fundamentalist sect, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the strength of the insurgents is seemingly waning as they have been overrun by the military’s famed brute force.
With each passing second drawing the country closer to the epoch-making general elections slated for March 28 (presidential/national Assembly) and April 11 (gubernatorial/state Houses of assembly); the military have gained the advantage in the fight against terrorism which had threatened the integrity of the nation.
ENCOMIUM Weekly looks at how Boko Haram, at long last, is losing the fight…
March 7, 2015: Nigerian troops recapture Buni Yadi and Buni Gari; flush out terrorists from Marte, Mafa
The Nigerian troops currently fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the north east are recording remarkable victories.
According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, troops recaptured Buni Yadi and Buni Gari towns – both in Yobe state from insurgents on Saturday, March 7, 2015.
In a statement, he explained: “During the operations, they encountered little resistance as the insurgents were on the run. Cordon and search and mopping up operations are ongoing in these areas. Operations by troops are also continuing to recover the few areas remaining in the hands of terrorists.”
In the same vein, Col. Usman had earlier in a statement said that troops flushed out Boko Haram terrorists from Mafa and Marte Local Government Areas in Borno state.
According to him: “In continuation of avowed recovery of territories held by Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian military have recaptured Mafa and Marte Local Governments Areas of Borno State on Wednesday and Friday respectively”.
He concluded: “With the capture of Mafa, Marte LGAs, and the Chadian troops holding forth in Dikwa, the international route from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic is now fully secured.”
March 9, 2015: Troops land insurgents sucker punch
Boko Haram terrorists were handed a crushing blow by troops of the Nigerian Army when they tried to enter Gombi town, Adamawa state on Monday, March 9, 2015 evening, according to officials.
In the report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Nigerian Army said in a statement by its Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, released on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Abuja, that the insurgents were engaged by troops of 23 Brigade of the Army in a gun battle that led to the killing of a number of them.
He added that the operation also led to destruction and recovery of vehicles, motorcycles, various calibre of weapons and ammunition including four Hilux vehicles, three anti-aircraft guns, one 50- inch Browning machine gun, 5,000 rounds of 12.7 millimetre ammunition, two boxes of .50 inch ammunition, 1,000 rounds of light machine gun ammunition, one rocket propelled grenade secen tube, as well as one general purpose machine gun.
March 11, 2015: Nigeria, neighbours recapture 36 towns from Boko Haram insurgents; intercept 8 suicide bombers
As part of the ongoing multinational campaign to dislodge the violent insurgents before the general elections, Nigeria’s military and her neighbours have retaken 36 towns from Boko Haram, this month.
This is according to the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, who said the towns were recaptured across three states in northeast at the heart of the expanse of land which the insurgents had held for months.
In his words: “Nigerian military forces, with assistance of her neighbors, have continued to record more successes in the recovery and liberation of various locations”.
Strengthening this stance, military spokesman, Major General Christopher Olukolade added: “We are making appreciable progress and we will continue to pursue the terrorists until we recover all territories”.
The military also said on Wednesday, March 11 2015 that they have intercepted eight suspected suicide bombers in Maiduguri, Borno state.
-MICHAEL NWOKIKE
