The Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Military in Borno State is claiming a major victory over the Boko Haram terrorist sect with the capture of 11 commanders, including the one suspected to be posting their online videos.
The terrorists were seized by members of the Joint Task Force while combing the Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest in a battle that sadly, also recorded casualties on the military side as they faced a regrouping insurgent force.
This was all disclosed to a nine-man appraisal team led by the Director of Operations in the Defence Headquarters, AVM M.O. Faloyin, who visited Borno State.
They were told that the JTF has been making progress in warding off Boko Haram members who shifted base to Manadara Mountains, including Gwoza and Kirawa Hills, which are under heavy surveillance.
The source said: “The land and air raid of these mountains have yielded results, in spite of the difficult nature of the terrain. The special troops have captured more than 11 leaders of Boko Haram, including one of the coordinators suspected to be behind the posting of online videos.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to secure these mountains, hills and forests in the next few days. We won’t allow the insurgents any breathing space.”
A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed the arrest of some Boko Haram leaders but it was silent on the actual figure.
The statement also confirmed that the Special Forces recorded some casualty in one of the units deployed to secure the mountains and Sambisa Forest.
“As a follow-up to scheduled assessment visits to troops in the Northeast of the country, a nine-member Defence Headquarters Operational Assessment Team returned from Yobe and Borno states to brief the Chief of Defence Staff with updates on the situation in the operational area of the Special Forces operating in the Northeast.
“The force, which has been tasked in support of the implementation of the State of Emergency, is conducting operations to stop terrorism and to restore normalcy to the security situation in Northeastern part of the country.
The team also visited troops’ location in various parts of Borno and Yobe states. Interacting with the troops inside Sambisa forest, the team leader, and Director of Operations in the Defence Headquarters, AVM M. O. Faloyin, conveyed the greetings and commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), whom he said was very proud of the troops.
“He said the CDS was satisfied with the high level of successes so far recorded in the operation and thanked them for a job well done, urging them not to rest on their oars until the entire region was fully sanitised and cleared of all terrorists activities. The team also assured the troops of regular logistic supplies while the mission lasts.
“Briefing the team earlier, the Commanding Officer narrated the conduct of the operation to rid the forest of the insurgents who had made the location their sanctuary.
“He said some notorious leaders of the terrorists have been captured while some materials recovered in the camp have also provided useful intelligence for subsequent operations.
“The team was shown the various weapons, including rockets, and locally fabricated weapon accessories captured in the forest. Other items include a large number of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making materials, among others.
“Other items, such as laptops, mobile communication equipment (GSM phones), used for shooting and posting online videos, locally made rockets and rocket launchers were among several items seized by the JTF from the arrested terrorists and displayed for the team to see.
“Also, seized vehicles of different brands were shown to the team. Several vehicles destroyed by the terrorists as well as their tailoring equipment, apparently used for producing fake uniforms, were also shown to the team.
“The Commanding Officer also said that the unit also incurred some casualty in men and equipment. According to him, the troops are currently engaged in night and day patrols of the area to dominate the forest and apprehend any terrorist who may be lurking around.”
Meanwhile, in a move to ensure that armed forces and security agencies are proactive in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, security funds may soon be on the first line charge in the nation’s budget.
This was an outcome of a four-hour closed-door meeting between the Service Chiefs and members of the House of Representatives yesterday over the security situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states where a state of emergency was declared by the Federal Government.
Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim led the military brass to the meeting, which also had the Army, Navy, Air Force, Immigration, Customs, Prisons and the Police.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Ogene said the interaction was on a need-to-know basis.
He told reporters that considering the relative restoration of peace achieved by the armed forces and security agencies in Yobe and Adamawa states, members of the House had been informed that the curfew may be relaxed during the Ramadan.
He said the House while endorsing the emergency declaration of President Goodluck Johathan said it would monitor the events closely and that the meeting with the Service Chiefs was a fulfillment of that promise.
According to Ogene, 13 Boko Haram camps, which served as the operational bases of the sect were now in the custody of the armed forces and security operatives.
“They are in charge of places where the symbol of Nigeria has been supplanted and now the green-white-green has been restored in those places.”
On challenges being faced by the security forces, the lawmaker said one of such challenges is distinguishing between Nigerians and Nigeriens because there are six states that are Kanuri speaking.
While praising the armed forces and security agencies for restoring peace in the affected areas, he assured them of the continued support of the House.
“The leadership of National Assembly is working on an amendment and funding for security. In the proposed amendment, it will be on first-line-charge. In fact, they will get the money before the sharing,” he added.
Ogene added: “We’ve found that there is institutional and infrastructural decay. Men of the Nigerian Customs and Immigration who are at the border don’t have houses. Whatever is being budgeted should get to them and be used for what it is meant for.”
He added, “We also wanted to know where the funding for these nefarious acts is coming from. All in all, it was a useful interaction which we will engage in from time to time.