ISWAP-Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender as Troops Sustain Onslaughts

ISWAP-Boko Haram Terrorists Surrender as Troops Sustain
Onslaughts

The incremental raids, clearance patrols, sting operations,
cordon & search operations as well as mortar and artillery
bombardment of identified criminal insurgents and bandits’ hideouts
within the past one week has yielded tremendous positive outcomes
as some of the terrorists surrendered to our gallant troops while
several others were neutralised. The period equally witnessed the
interception and arrest of several Boko Haram Logistics Suppliers
and informants by the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE as well as
the arrest or neutralisation of some bandits and other criminal
elements in the North West and other parts of the nation.

On 1st November 2019 for instance, 16 insurgents along with 8 of
their spouses who could no longer bear the heat from the onslaught
against them surrendered to the relentless troops of Sector 1,
Multinational Joint Task Force at Fotokol. Subsequently, the
surrendered insurgents were later handed over to troops of 3
Battalion (Main) at Gamboru Ngala, a border town NE of Borno State.
During preliminary interrogation and profiling, they confessed to
have actively participated in attacks conducted against both
military and civilian targets at various times.

It was further revealed that 14 of them whose names are Ibrahim
Bunu, Abba Sale, Baba Lamba Alhaji, Bukar Isa, Bukar Ali, Rawa Abba
Gana, Mustapha Abatcha, Umar Abubakar, Hassan Bukar, Malam Abatcha
Ali, Abba Umar Abatcha, Hussaini Babagana, Idris Mohammed and Umar
Abba Bayoma all belonged to the Islamic State West Africa Province
(ISWAP) led by Al – Barnawi while the remaining 2, Hassan Kawu and
Babagana Bukar Adijabe belonged to Boko Haram (Abubakar Shekau
Faction). The repentant insurgents however, regretted their
participation in the heinous crimes they committed against humanity
and are now calling on their former colleagues to retrace their
steps and also surrender to troops before it is too late.

In another development, troops deployed at Gajigana in Magumeri
LGA of Borno State intercepted some Boko Haram criminals in the
early hours of Tuesday 5th November 2019. It is believed that the
insurgents were on their way to attack the community to source for
food items and other logistics for their survival. However, the
vigilant troops blocked and neutralised 3 of the Boko Haram
criminals while several others escaped with varying degrees of
gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, one soldier paid the supreme price
while 2 others were wounded in action. The wounded soldiers are
currently responding to treatment in a military medical facility.
Additionally, the troops captured 2 AK 47 Rifles, one Rocket
Propelled Gun 7 (RPG 7), 5 AK 47 magazines, 47 Rounds of 7.62mm
Special ammunition and some quantities of hard drugs during
exploitation. In a related incident, another Boko Haram criminal
met his waterloo on 4th November 2019 while attempting to cross
into the Sambisa Forest at Bama – Banki Road Junction when own tps
sighted and neutralized him.

Similarly, troops of 195 Battalion, while on clearance patrol
along Gubio Road on 4th November 2019 recovered a kit bag
containing 480 Rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition suspected to have
been abandoned by escaping terrorists. In another encounter with
the Boko Haram criminals on 6 November 2019 at Muchima in Damboa
LGA of Borno State, 9 Boko Haram insurgents were neutralized by
troops while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Additionally, one
insurgent Gun Truck was destroyed, 4 AK 47 Rifles and a cache of
ammunition were recovered. Similarly, troops of Sector 2 deployed
at Damaturu, Yobe State dealt a decisive blow to the insurgents’
attempt to infiltrate the town on 7 November 2019. The attempted
infiltration was thwarted by the combined efforts of ground troops,
artillery bombardment and precision air strikes by the Air Task
Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. The encounter led to the decimation
of a number of the insurgents in addition to the destruction of one
Boko Haram Gun Truck. Unfortunately, one Officer paid the supreme
price during the encounter. Furthermore, during their exploitation,
troops discovered and safely detonated 2 Unexploded Ordnance
materials planted by the insurgents as well as the charred remains
of some of the terrorists that were hurriedly buried by the
criminal insurgents while withdrawing in disarray following the
superior firepower of our troops.

Outside the North East theatre, troops on Operation MESA
continued to increase the momentum of their operations across the
nation during the period. For instance, on 4th November 2019,
troops of 1 Division Garrison deployed at Damakasuwa in Kauru LGA
of Kaduna State arrested one Mustapha Usman Shehu while driving a
Honda salon car with Registration number ABUJA BU 70 RBC along
Damakasuwa – Kano Road with a Pump Action Gun loaded with 2
cartridges concealed in the vehicle compartment. Relatedly, on 5th
November 2019 troops of 82 Division, while on a random Stop and
Search Operation, arrested a notorious gun runner, Leonard Asogwa
in a commercial bus travelling from Onitsha to Jos. A meticulous
search of his baggage revealed 2 neatly concealed Pump Action Guns
with 25 live cartridges. Additionally, troops of 1 Division
Garrison, while acting on credible information, conducted a
successful Cordon and Search operation at the country home of one
Alhaji Shehu Abubakar of Yakawada Town in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State
on 5th November 2019. Items recovered during the operation include:
one AK 47 Rifle with 4 Rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunitions, one
locally fabricated Revolver with 3 Rounds of 7.62mm NATO and one
Pump Action Gun with 6 live cartridges. Preliminary investigation
revealed that the suspect is one of the suppliers of arms and
ammunition to kidnappers and bandits terrorizing the resi of Kaduna
and neighbouring States.

Furthermore, troops of Operation MESA in the North Central in
conjunction with elements of Special Forces Bikers conducted
clearance operation at Dam 1 and Timchan Villages in Kadarko
District, Wase LGA of Plateau State as well as Kurmi Village in Ibi
LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, 10 suspected militias
were arrested while troops also recovered 101 Rounds of 7.62mm NATO
ammunition, 71 Rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Plastic
Explosive and 36 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) at the residence of
one Shehu Jatau, a notorious militia gang leader, who was earlier
arrested in a hotel in Central Area, Abuja. Additionally, one
locally fabricated Rifle and a live cartridge were also recovered
at Timchan Village.

In the Niger Delta region, troops of 146 Battalion (Main) in
conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Police Finima Division while
acting on information, conducted a swift raid operation against
some suspected gunmen at Okobi and Conkiri Long John Abalamabie
Communities in Bonny LGA of Rivers State. The raid led to the
arrest of one suspect and recovery of 7 Rounds of 9mm ammunition, a
pair of camouflage uniform, one black beret and wraps of substance
suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (indian hemp).

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu
Buratai wishes to reassure the general 2public of the resolve of
the Nigerian Army to continue to execute our constitutional mandate
professionally and responsively for a better and secured Nigeria.
He also thank all well-meaning Nigerians for their continued
support, goodwill and understanding towards officers and men of the
Nigerian Army. He therefore enjoins all law-abiding citizens to go
about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and
intimidation and to provide useful information about suspected
criminal elements to security agencies.

AMINU ILIYASU
Colonel
Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator