TEXT OF PRESS BRIEFING BY
MAJOR GENERAL LEO IRABOR THEATRE COMMANDER OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE AT
MILITARY COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE, MAIDUGURI TODAY WEDNESDAY 11TH
JANUARY 2017
It is in line with our resolve to keep you and the general public
informed of our activities in Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Our gallant troops
have continued exploitation and mop-up operations against fleeing Boko
Haram Terrorists (BHTs). The activities of the week under review show
that the BHT are in disarray and are equally desperate. Therefore, this
brief is intended to give update as follows:
a. Clearance Operations. Our gallant troops have conducted some clearance operations during the last one week:
(1)
On 7 Jan 17 at about 1625hrs, following reports of BHT attempting to
regroup, our troops embarked on clearance operation and established
contact with BHT elements at WULGE village. Fire fight ensued which
resulted to 11 BHT killed in action while 9 others were captured.
However, one soldier was wounded in action. The captured BHT are
undergoing interrogation.
(2)
On 9 Jan 17 at about 0630hrs, own troops deployed between BANKI and
DAREL JAMEL conducted clearance patrol towards BHT crossing site and
encountered the insurgents at about 0715hrs. The insurgents fled on
sighting own troops approaching and abandoned Honda motor cycle and 6
Jerry cans of 25 litre each containing AGO. The items were destroyed in
situ.
(3) On 5 Jan 17
at about 0745hrs, own troops in conjunction with CJTF conducted
clearance operation along DAMASAK – GASHIGAR road. The troops
successfully cleared DUOMA, ASAGA, GASHIGAR and other surrounding
villages. At ASAGA village, our troops encountered and dislodged some
BHT elements. Subsequently, the troops recovered corpses of one officer
and 15 soldiers earlier declared Missing in Action during their
dislodgment from GASHIGAR on 16 Oct 16. The corpses were recovered along
Kamadugou River line. Among the recovered corpses was that of Lt Col K
Yusuf, the former Commanding Officer of 223 Tank Battalion. They have
since been buried in Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery with full military
honours.
(4) On 8 Jan 17 at about 1125hrs, own troops in
conjunction with CJTF conducted clearance operation to METELE village
and encountered pockets of BHT which were successfully cleared. The
troops also cleared all identified BHT hideouts from DOGON CHUKU toward
TUMBUN RAGO. During the operation, 6 BHT were killed in action while 2
of our soldiers were wounded in action. The wounded soldiers are
currently receiving treatment in our medical facility in Baga.
(5)
On 8 Jan 17 at 0830hrs, own troops conducted clearance operation in
MANAWASI and GAREL villages. The troops encountered BHT at BULAKESA
village. The troops successfully cleared the BHT with support from Air
Component and dominated the village. Sadly, an officer and 4 soldiers
were killed in action while 3 other soldiers were wounded. A total of
50 BHT were killed in action while 3 AK47 rifles and several weapons and
grenade were recovered from the BHT. Also, 9 BHT adults and 18 minors
were arrested during the operation.
b. Arrests. Own troops have arrested some BHT suspects as follows:
(1)
On 3 Jan 17 at about 1240hrs, 4 women and 13 children were apprehended
by vigilantes at BUNI YADI and were later handed over to our troops.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the women were wives of BHTs who
fled from Sambisa Forest as a result of our operations. All suspects
are in our custody undergoing investigation.
(2) On 9 Jan 17, a
surrendered BHT identified a male sympathiser as BHT spy to MONGUNO and
identified 2 wives of BHT Amir from the arrested BHT members.
(3)
On 4 Jan 17 at about 1300hrs, own troops at KATARKO while on patrol
along GUJBA-NANAMAJI road arrested 4 BHT suspects fleeing TALALA. Their
names are Babagana Mohammedu from HONG in MICHIKA LGA, Usman Usman from
FUNTUA Katsitna State, Murtala Dan-azimi from KOFAR GOMBE Bauchi State
and Sanusi Dahiru from SAKWAYA in Jigawa State. Arrested suspects are in
own custody undergoing further interrogation.
(4)
On 5 Jan 17 at about 1030hrs, own troops and CJTF arrested 4 BHT
suspects at SHUWARI village ahead of own checkpoint following a tip off
that there were some BHT amirs lurking around. The suspects are Modu
Auwami, Mamye Modu, Usman Kachanawa and Mallum Maji. During preliminary
investigation, some local witnesses identified Modo Auwami as the one
who used to provide medical treatment to injured BHT and had been seen
wielding AK47 rifle on several occasions. The other 3 suspects claimed
they were abducted by the BHT but only spent few days in their camps.
The suspects are all from DAGUMBA and GUMSHE in MAFA and DIKWA LGA
respectively. The suspects are in custody undergoing further
interrogation.
(5) On 3 Jan 17 at about 1430hrs, own troops in
conjunction with CJTF arrested 4 BHT suspects namely: Usman Alhaji
Karama, Wakil Aga, Biye Kunti and Maimusa Khadi at SHUARI village close
to custom house. The suspects were from DAGUMBA village in MAFA LGA and
they all confessed to be BHT members. They claimed to have come to town
to buy Tramadol tablets as they were arrested with 27 sachets of
Tramadol tablets, 3 sachets of Cowbel chocolate and the sum of N5,040.00
only. They are all undergoing further interrogation.
(6) On 8
Jan 17 at about 2317hrs, following a tip-off a suspected BHT member one
Abubakar Babagana Tijani (also known as Mafiyo) was arrested at GONGE
area of MAIDUGURI. The suspect is believed to be among those at the top
hierarchy of the BHT sect as he is especially known for his cross border
activities. He has been to Chad, Cameroun and Republic of Niger at
various times. The suspect has been undergoing interrogation.
(7)
On 6 Jan 17 at about 1140hrs, our troops while on patrol at AWTI
village general area arrested one Alhaji Muhammed with gunshot wounds on
his left leg. The suspect confessed to be among the BHT that were
ambushed by own troops around RANN on 30 Dec 16. The suspect is
currently undergoing medical treatment in one of our medical facilities
while interrogation also is ongoing.
(8) On 6 Jan 16 at about
2120hrs, own troops deployed at BUNI YADI arrested 2 men who were
wandering forward of own troops location. On challenge, one of them
identified himself as an ex-soldier. Troops arrested them and
preliminary investigation revealed that the ex-slodier was dismissed
from the military in Jan 16 at NASI while the other suspect was his
friend. The suspects are undergoing interrogation.
c.
Discovery of CHIBOK School Girl. On 5 Jan 17 at about 1900hrs during
profiling of some rescued persons from BHT at AJIGIN-TALALA general
area, our troops discovered one of the CHIBOK School girls abducted by
the BHT in 2014. Her name is Rakiya Abubakar and was with her 6 months
old baby boy named Abdullahi, I handed them over to the Borno State
Governor same day at about 1900hrs at the Borno State Government House
here in MAIDUGURI.
d. Handover of IDPs. On 5 Jan 17 at about 1130hrs,
a total of 119 Nigerian IDPs were handed over to our troops at BANKI by
the Cameroonian forces. The IDPs comprised 20 male adults, 25 female
adults and 74 children. They were screened and moved to the IDP camp.
e.
Surrendering of BHT in Limankara. On 9 Jan 17 at about
1250hrs, one Alhaji Njida, a BHT member surrendered to our troops
deployed at LIMANKARA. One AK 47 rifle loaded with 9 rounds with 7.62mm
special ammunition was recovered from him. He is currently in custody
undergoing interrogation.
f. Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device Explosions. During the period under review, there were recorded incidences of PBIED:
(1)
On 8 Jan 17 at about 2015hrs, civilians within MUNA DALTI sighted 2
suicide bombers trying to infiltrate the metropolis through MUNA DALTI.
When challenged, the armed suicide bombers opened fire and killed a
member of CJTF and injured a little girl. The suicide bombers thereafter
ran into Muna Park where one of them detonated his suicide vest killing
himself, and a Motor Boy. The other suicide bomber was shot by the
CJTF. However, suicide vest strapped on him did not detonate. Quantity 2
AK47 was recovered at the scene. The injured girl was evacuated to
hospital while Nigeria Police EOD Team disposed the suicide vest and
NEMA staff evacuated the body parts and disinfected the area.
(2)
On 8 Jan 17 at about 2230hrs, 2 female suicide bombers detonated their
suicide vests at KALARI general area. The first suicide bomber knocked
at the door of one Wakili Bulama's house, the daughter came out to check
on who was at the door and the suicide bomber detonated the suicide
vest and killing herself and the little girl. The explosion also
destroyed part of the building. The second suicide bomber also knocked
on the door of one Usman Wule about 200m away from the first scene and
the owner of the house came to open the door. She detonated the suicide
vest at about 2240hrs, killing herself and the owner of the house.
g.
BHT Attack. On 7 Jan 17 at about 1740hrs, some BHT elements attacked
our troops location through the Range Area during stand-to. The troops
repelled the attack. Sadly, an officer and 3 soldiers were killed in
action. By first light the following day, own troops went pursuit of the
attackers by trailing their tracks. The tracks led the troops through
GOLGORE up to BULAISARI village, where own troops discovered a camp
observed to have been their staging area. Apart from one dead BHT
discovered at the camp, a camel bag and several jackets all soaked in
blood were discovered. The troops also found a pair of forceps,
disposable hand gloves and cotton wool all stained in blood suspected to
be as a result of the heavy casualty inflicted on BHT during the
attack. The camp which was deserted had a workshop, grinding mill,
scattered settlements and livestock. Own troops also recovered 2 dane
guns and a motorola GP 340 hand held set. Thereafter, troops cleared the
camp and exploited further to AJIGIN and TALALA general area.
h.
Recovery of BHT Items. On 5 Jan 17 at about 1000hrs, own troops
conducted a mop-up operations around CAMP ZAIRO general area and
recovered additional BHT items. They included a pair of black uniform
with camouflage design on the edges, a précis on motar operation written
in Arabic, one big size Quran, 4 notebooks containing names of BHTs, a
list of BHT locs, a list of IED materials and method of preparation,
breakdown of quantities of arms and ammunition issued to BHT members,
some instructions written in Arabic and a small BHT flag with Arabic
inscription.
i. Display of BHT Doctor and Amir.
Summary of
Arrested/Surrendered BHT Suspects and Other Rescued Persons. A total of
963 civilians were arrested as BHT suspects while 2 BHT members
surrendered to our troops during our operations conducted between 4 – 11
Jan 17.
Maritime Operation. The update for Op LAFIYA DOLE Maritime Component will be delivered by the Maritime Component Commander.
Air Operations. The clips of Air ops conducted during the period is as shown.
Going
Forward. While we await other stakeholders to undertake repairs of
broken down infrastructures, we have reconstructed many bridges and a
bridge currently constructing one as could be seen among other
construction works. I am hopeful that my earlier call to well-meaning
Nigerians and corporate bodies for equipment support for construction
and rebuilding of infrastructures will be fruitful.
At this stage
of our fight against terrorism, I urge you and members of the general
public to continue to be more security conscious. Given the apparent end
of BHT, they are changing their modus operandi. As you go about your
normal activities, be careful to know who is knocking at your door
before opening.
We shall continue to inform the public of these
developments. Your continued support would be highly appreciated as we
Work to Win the Peace. Winning the peace is a process. Accordingly, What
value are you adding? I urge you to leave the ranks of noise and
distraction. Join to add value qualitatively. Thank you and God bless.
Major General LEO IRABOR
Theatre Commander
Operation LAFIYA DOLE
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