Airstrike destroys Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ logistics base in Borno

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) on Monday, destroyed the logistics base of the Boko Haram/Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Njimia on the fringes of Sambisa Forest in Borno.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the operation was in continuation of the onslaught against terrorist targets in the North East.

Enenche said the feat was achieved following credible intelligence reports as well as series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

He added that the mission led to the identification of the nondescript cluster of structures within the settlement being used by the terrorists to house their fuel and other logistics.

According to him, the Air Task Force dispatched an appropriate Force Package of attack aircraft and a surveillance platform to take out the target.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack assets scored accurate hits in their bombing runs on the target area, completely obliterating the logistics stores as well as causing damage to several other BHT structures in the settlement.

“The Chief of the Air Staff commends the Air Task Force for their professionalism and directs them to remain resolute towards eradicating the terrorists from the North East,” he said.

Enenche also disclosed that troops of Combat Team 1, Operation Kantana Jimlan on patrol along Buni Yadi – Buni Gari axis encountered multiple Improvised Explosive Devices and Boko Haram Terrorists’ ambush on Sunday.

He said the ambush took place eight kilometers ahead of Buni-Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe leading to the killing of two soldiers while three other soldiers sustained injuries as a result of the IED explosion.

According to him, a recovery truck, one troops carrying vehicle and a water tanker that ran into the IED were destroyed by fire.

“Three terrorists were neutralised, while unconfirmed number escaped with various degrees of injury.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain unwavering in its quest to end the terrorism and will do everything possible to ensure there is no repeat of this kind of traumatic incident.

“The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their unwavering determination, hardwork and resilience,” he said. (NAN)

Touching story of pastor beheaded by Boko Haram founder

Lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe shares the touching story of Pastor George Ojih, who was beheaded by Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf 10 years ago. In addition, he shares the survival story of Ojih’s widow and children, how they got help from Pan Nigeria samaritans.

I had heard of this widow for years. I heard she and her kids had moved to Lagos after the horrific incident. I finally tracked her down.

She told me about her charismatic and studious husband who came back to Maiduguri for the weekend from bible school to visit his family. She remembers wistfully the sermon he preached at his church that weekend encouraging all to be firm till the end. As if he knew…

Later that week, Boko Haram went on rampage. They operated freely in the city of Maiduguri where they had a mosque, a camp ground and facilities. They rampaged through the city killing Christians.

Pastor George and his family were amongst those who fled to a military barracks for safety.

Several days later when the violence subsided a bit, he went in search of an old lady – a widow from his church who wasn’t hiding in the barracks with them.

During that rescue mission, he and a deacon were captured by the terrorists and taken to their grounds.

Troops repel insurgents’ attack in Borno

The Nigerian Army on Thursday said its troops had successfully repelled attacks coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents at Gajiram community in Ngazai Local Government Area of Borno.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, said in a statement that the troops killed several insurgents and recovered weapons when the terrorists tried to infiltrate the community on Tuesday.

“Troops of Operation LAfIYA DOLE deployed in the Forward Operational Base at Gajiram, fiercely countered a group of Boko Haram terrorists, who made frantic attempts to infiltrate the community on Tuesday Jan. 15, 2019.

“The terrorists want to take advantage of the cover of darkness to attack the town. They met with prompt response of the vigilant troops, who fiercely engage them in combat, killing several of the insurgents,” he said.

Nwachukwu said that the troops also recovered one Ak-47 rifle, two Ak-47 Magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, three Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, four Bomb Chargers and Light Machine Gun belt links.

The army spokesman said the gallant troops were on the pursuit of the terrorists who fled the scene of the encounter.

Army: our weapons superior to Boko Haram’s

The Army yesterday denied claims that it was using obsolete weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, asserting that such claims were part of the on-going propaganda campaigns against the military.

It said it would keep fighting the insurgents until the battle is won, irrespective of challenges.

The response was contained on its social media pages to counter series of videos in circulation alleging that soldiers were bitterly complaining in respect of their welfare and equipment handed to them to fight the insurgents.

“Boko Haram terrorists are not better equipped than the Nigerian Army. Nigerian Army is the pride of the nation,” the Army said.

In a recent video following the Metele attacks, a soldier lamented: “Many of our men have died. We have to go home. If Nigeria is ready, they can call us back to fight those idiots (terrorists).

“But we do not have adequate weapons to fight them. We are going home to be with our families. Weapons make a soldier. Without weapons, you are not a soldier.”

But, the Army maintained that such claims are untrue, insisting that its men were given superior weapons to fight the terrorists.

“Fake news, false publication, hate speech and terrorist propaganda cannot deter our resolve from protecting our nation. No retreat, no surrender. Victory is sure,” it asserted

Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman has, however, warned the public against fallen into the trap of one Dr. Perry Brimah, who claimed to be raising funds for the welfare of troops in the war fronts.

He described the claim as fraudulent and had nothing to do with the Nigerian Army.

Brig.-Gen. Usman, who advised Nigerians to ignore Brimah, said in a statement: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a fraudulent and criminal fund-raising by one Dr. Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, tagged: ‘Global campaign to provide food for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram’.

“The criminal embarked on this fund-raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style. The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund-raising: https://www.gofundme.com/ feed-nigerian-soldiers/

“We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed in the Northeast or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe. The Nigerian Army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras, especially during festive periods.

“Therefore, this move by Dr. Brimah is nothing but a scam as there is nowhere in the world where troops were fed through donations by members of the public.

“We would like to further state that there has never been complaints of lack of food by soldiers, talk-less of starvation. The so-called Dr. Perry Brimah or his agents do not represent the Nigerian Army or her soldiers.

“Whoever believes and falls victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk. In addition, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the INTERPOL are working hard to declare him wanted and extradite the international fraudster to face justice. Therefore, we request the general public for any information on the whereabouts of this fraudster.”