The Defence Headquarters said on Saturday that Nigerian troops have flushed out Boko Haram elements in Baga, Borno State, ending the reign of the insurgents, which captured the town and brought it under their control around September, 2014.
A statement from the Defence Headquarters on Saturday said the town was recaptured after fierce gun duel with the terrorists, with militants suffering heavy casualty.
It added that the troops had continued mop-up operation in the area.
Mr. Olukolade later issued a detailed press statement giving details of the Baga operation.
Boko Haram had on January 4 attacked the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in Baga, eventually dislodging the soldiers, in what was said to be one of the fiercest battles in recent times as soldiers battled to hold their grounds without much success.
The terrorist later took over the town. Rights group, Amnesty International, said over 2, 000 people were killed in the attack, a claim denied by the Nigerian military which said the number of people killed did not exceed 150 – including terrorists, soldiers and civilians.
The operation to recapture Baga, Monguno and other territories held by Boko Haram kicked off February 14 as announced by the military in early February – the major reason the security services gave for their demand that presidential and National Assembly elections, earlier billed for February 14, be delayed.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the military chiefs had warned that they could not guarantee security if the elections went ahead as planned.
According to details referred to by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military said it was planning sweeping onslaught against Boko Haram starting February 14, and did not want a distraction.
The military assured that the six-week extension, which will allow time for the operations, will significantly turn the tide in the war against Boko Haram, a pledge re-affirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan during a televised media chat last week.
Last Saturday the Nigerian security forces launched a huge military campaign to retake a swath of territory in the North East seized by the terror group.
Security sources revealed how a massive deployment of troops and military assets, many of them newly-acquired, in the fight to re-take territories being held by the terrorists.
The operation, our sources said, was being personally led by L.O Adeosun, the General Officer Commanding of the Maiduguri-based 7th Battalion and the Commander of the 5 Brigade, Munguno, a Brigadier general Udoh, Mr. Adeosun, a Major General, was recently posted to Borno after the loss of Baga and Munguno to Boko Haram.
On February 16, the military announced it had reclaimed the town of Monguno and nearby communities after nearly two days of fighting.
Boko Haram had carried out a pre-dawn attack on Monguno, which is about 137 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital over three weeks ago.
The takeover of Monguno and other communities brought Boko Haram closer to Maiduguri and the Army successfully repelled the insurgents’ attempts to get into Maiduguri.
On February 19, the military said it has invaded the notorious Sambisa forest base of the terrorists.
Mr. Olukolade had said a concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force was ongoing in the forest to clear the terrorists from their enclaves.
He said air strikes, targeted at the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests and parts of Gwoza were “highly successful”.
He said a high death rate was recorded on the side of the terrorists while many others were scampering out of the areas invaded by the military.
The Nigerian military has been sternly criticised for not going after Boko Haram militants despite knowing their major bases.
The new strikes has however raised concerns over the safety of over 200 school girls believed to be held in the Sambisa area by the insurgent group since April 14 last year.
The girls were abducted from their hostel at Government Secondary School Chibok in Borno State.
The military had said in the past it was avoiding an all-out battle on the Sambisa enclave for the sake of the girls’ safety. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Idiots. Why didn't they do this a long time ago. That's their plan to perpetuate Jonathan in power. The president is even asking for a 7-year singe term and said, if Nigerians accept this he would not re-contest. Ole president.
ReplyDeleteIt is because of sabotage by Generals that are not in support of GEJ
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