Borno state has been on the end of some devastating Boko Haram attacks in the past with the Nigerian Army unable their wit. Thousands have been killed, several displaced, and yet more have been rendered homeless. What is more perplexing is the inability of the Nigerian Army to neutralize the threat. If you are one to count scores, you will agree that this group has several times in the past made the Army appear clueless and incompetent.
It is not all glum, however, there have been a series of wins for the Army of late with the latest one coming in Gworege community in the Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State when the troops of the 22 Brigade at the Super Camp in Dikwa fought the terrorists in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force members, recovering six AK-47 rifles and 66 7.62mm ammunition.
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The army said in a statement released on Sunday that a hunter was injured during the encounter, several terrorists shot dead while “others escaped with various degrees of injuries.”
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, said, “Following credible information from the locals about the presence of terrorists at Gworege village in the Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of 22 Brigade conducted a raid and clearance operation to Gworege community.
“The terrorists engaged the troops in a firefight but had to flee as a result of superior firepower. Consequently, troops searched the village and recovered the following; six AK-47 rifles and 66 7.62 ammunition. No soldier was killed or missing in action.
“Many terrorists met their waterloo during the encounter, while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.”
Borno State has been at the central of everything Boko Haram. The Zanbizar forest is in Maiduguri, Borno State has played HQ to Boko Haram making the area and the state a Boko Haram hot zone.
The constant threats, fear, anxiety, and a perpetual state of panic the people must have lived with is unimaginable. Every win for the Nigerian Army or any other kind of rescue forces or aid is a win for the community and means much to the good people of Nigeria. What’s commendable is the effort of the Buhari led administration in mitigating the activities of the group.