Army Records Major Gains In Operation Crack Down Sambisa

A Rescued Woman and Her Children 

Army Records Major Gains  In Operation Crack Down Sambisa

By Abdulkareem Haruna

Nigeria Soldiers have continued to record larger successes in the ongoing Operation Crack Down as troops take the battle to the core of Sambisa Forest during which scores of insurgents were killed and many more captives were rescued amidst recovery of arms cache, officials said.

This was coming after  the Chief of Army  Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, ordered for a review of change of strategy on the part of the troops  in the ongoing counterinsurgency in northeast Nigeria, troops.

Theatre Commander of the Lafiya Dole, Counterinsurgency Operation Nigeria Army ,  Major General Lucky Irabor, had announced Thursday that though soldiers were confronted by the challenges of running into landmines buried in the forest, they've been able to carry out long range attacks on the terrorists.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka, had in a statement issued late Friday night mentioned that the Nigeria troops had in different formations carried out catalogue of successful operation that had largely decimated the insurgents in the heart of Sambisa forest.

Colonel Usman said many of the Boko Haram, including their specialized trade  Ameers have surrendered to own forces amidst the heated hostility they faced in the hands of the "fully motivated  soldiers. 

Arms Crippled Girl Rescued
By Soldiers 

 

He said troops of  26  and  223, Battalions,  Army Headquarters Strike Group and Armed Forces Special Forces have continued offensive operations in furtherance of Operation CRACKDOWN.

"The troops  have cleared remnants of Boko Haram in Izza and  Njima general area", he said  "Although they did not encounter any Boko Haram terrorists, there were noticeable fresh footprints, motorcycle and bicycle tyre marks in the seemingly abandoned places.

"However, the troops came across    and recovered 8 abandoned vehicles belonging to Boko Haram terrorists. The advancing troops also cleared all Boko Haram terrorists' hideouts along the way including their camps at Bula Buba and its environs where they recovered 1 Hilux, 1 Canter truck, 15 AK-47  rifle magazines, a 60mm High Explosive  Bomb, 200 G3  rifle magazines, 3 Browning Machine Gun tripod stands and a 60mm mortar bipod stand. Other recoveries include several metal links of 7.62mm (NATO) and 12.mm ammunitions. 

"In their area of operations, troops of  121 Task Force Battalion today,  intercepted 35 civilians comprising 6 men, 7 women, 7 males minors and  15 minor females who claimed to be coming from Balaganje village.

"However, preliminary investigation reveals that they had been living in Balaganje as captives by Boko Haram terrorists who threatened to kill them if they attempt to escape. They are being investigated further.

"In a related development, quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists have continued to surrender. Yesterday, out of 16 male adults that came along with their families to troop's from Balazala and Ahamdaga Makaranta villages in the Dure district, 7 of them confessed to be Boko Haram terrorist members.

"However, on proper interrogation, the suspects confirmed to be Boko Haram terrorists with some of them having specialized trade and status. Three of them were Ameers (leaders) in the Boko Haram terrorist group's hierarchy; for instance, Hamidu Buba was found to be the Ameer  (leader) of tailors, while Musa Buba  is Ameer of mechanics and Ali Idrissa, an Ameer of 

"As  a matter of fact, they confessed that they were all fed up with the situation which has become worse as a result of Operation CRACKDOWN. They also stated that the Boko Haram terrorists have ran out of food and they now survive on roots and unripe mangoes. They also said  2 of their members sent for food were killed at Frigi crossing point some days earlier by troops, (you may recall that we reported the military's ambush at the crossing point).

"The troops of 122 Task Force Battalion injunction with some elements of 26 Task Force Brigade on receipt of information from some escapees,  embarked  a clearance patrol to Fadagwe Muni, along Yamtake-Gwoza road. On sighting the troops, the suspected Boko Haram terrorists fled and left behind an abducted 16 year old female cripple. The terrorists also abandoned large stock of grains stored in underground pit. Other items recovered include grinding machine, 2 tricycles and 1 photographs printer. The troops nevertheless pursued the fleeing insurgents and killed some of them.

"Similarly, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion also conducted clearance operation at Kadera Dam and Anguwar Fulani, while troops of 192 Battalion that conducted similar operation to Guduf,  Nagadio, Duma and Kusarha.  The Boko Haram terrorists ran to the top of the mountains and they were engaged heavy mortar fire.

The Boko Haram Vocational
Ameers

"The 7 Division and its supporting elements has also intensified the clearance and rescue operations deep inside Sambisa forest. On Friday, they had encounter with Boko Haram terrorists at Alafa in which they cleared all the
terrorists hibernating there.     

"The troops in various  axis have continued to exploit further till they accomplish the mission of Operation CRACKDOWN.

"In a related development, vigilant  7 Division  Garrison, have arrested  2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists fuel suppliers      with 2 Golf Volkswagen vehicles with registration numbers  Borno MAG-112XA and Borno AA739-KBG. They were arrested at NNPC Mega Filling Station, along Damboa Road, Maiduguri at 2.00pm today, Friday, 5th May 2016.

"The two suspected Boko Haram terrorists modified the booth of their cars with  constructed tanks to take in more fuel for their accomplices hiding in the forests.  One of the reconstructed tanks contained150 litres of petrol, while the other was empty.
Both suspects have been handed over to the Joint Intelligent Centre for further interrogation".

carpenters. The others confessed to be "Rijan" (fighters)  adding that they have participated in various Boko Haram attacks on so many villages and towns. They further stated that the ongoing crackdown operation is really taking its toll on them as they can barely survive.