Troops ‘clear’ Boko Haram out of Bauchi forest

Troops of the 33 Brigade of the Nigeria army have concluded the dislodgement and clearing out of Boko Haram members from Lame-Burra forest, which traverses Ningi and Torro local government areas of Bauchi state.

According to Sani Usman, a colonel and acting director of army public relations, the operation, which began last weekend, resulted in the death of a number of insurgents and destruction of their weapons and equipment.

“Similarly, a sizeable number of arms, ammunition, foodstuffs, Hilux vehicles, motorcycles and improvised explosive devices (IED) were recovered by the troops,” he said.

“The recovery include 3 hilux vehicles, 12 motorcycles, 4 AK-47 rifles, 1 fabrique nationale rifle, 1 Small Machine Gun (SMG), 1 police teargas pistol, 36 primed IEDs, 56 rifles magazines, over 500 rounds of 7.62 milimetre ammunition, 6 jerrycans of groundnut and palm oil and several IED-making materials.

“It will be recalled that the forest has been notorious hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists from where they organise raids, kidnappings and attacks on hapless and innocent citizens and security forces. With this, the surrounding communities would enjoy increased peace and security in their respective areas.”

Usman added that Kenneth Minimah, chief of army staff, was so “impressed by the professional manner in which this unprecedented feat was achieved” that he commended the troops for a job well done.

About 36 towns in the northeast have been retaken by the military from Boko Haram in the northeast.

And the latest feat of the Nigerian military is in view of the six-week timeline for defeating the sect in the northeast.

However, Gwoza and (to a large extent) Bama, both in Borno state, are still under the control of Boko Haram.

After reports of the expulsion of Boko Haram from Bama, Chris Olukolade, major-general and director of defence information, told TheCable on Wednesday that it was not “duly accomplished.”

“That is not true for now,” he said.

“Please wait a while. We will tell you when it is duly accomplished, please.”