By Jibrin Baba Ndace
Abuja
Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at Bitta and Pridang, in multiple raids on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages, on Bita and Damboa road, Adamawa state at the fringes of Sambisa Forest on Tuesday, killing 30 insurgents, and rescuing 338 of those abducted by the group.
And in a related development, the Army has declared wanted some 100 members of the Boko Haram group, appealing to anybody with information on their whereabouts to avail it under wrap.
The result of its latest rescue effort, and the killing of the suspected insurgents was contained in a statement yesterday, by the Acting Director, Army Public relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman.
The statement said: “The unit also rescued 338 persons that were held captives by the terrorists in the enclaves. The rescued persons which comprised eight males, 138 females and 192 children, have since been evacuated to Mubi.
“Troops also recovered arms and ammunitions during the raid operation which include one General Purpose Machine Gun and two Dane guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), six boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and three cutlasses.
“In a related development, the troops, following a tip-off, ambushed and killed four suspected Boko Haram terrorists who were on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali local government area in Adamawa state. Apart from two AK-47 rifles recovered, the troops also recovered some Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs), mortar bombs and cash of N153, 385 was retrieved.”
Continuing, it said: “It is worthy to note that the raid operation on the Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff’s operational visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi.
“The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent victims of their suicide bombings.
“Having appealed and given the terrorists final warning, we would like to state that from now on troops within bounds of respect for human rights and rules of engagement, we shall continue to decisively deal with Boko Haram terrorists until they are defeated.”
According to the statement, “we are appealing for continued vigilance, security consciousness and above all cooperation with the military and security agencies to enable us successfully defeat the terrorists.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, yesterday declared 100 members of the Boko Haram deadly group wanted.
According to him, the arrest of the wanted members of the sect would help a great deal in the final push against the terrorists in the Northeast region and the country in general.
Buratai who spoke at the lunch of the anti-Boko Haram Terrorists Campaign materials at the Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, Headquarters of the 7 Division Nigeria Army, also displayed the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram militants.
He solicited for the support of the general public to assist in the arrest and prosecution of the suspected insurgents, who, according to him, had allegedly unleashed terror on the people in the region.
“The fight against Boko Haram insurgency is a collective responsibility of all, including the media. These photographs of terrorists’ suspects are to be identified with their numbers attached to each of the 100 photos, while members of the general public could send in more information on the locations or whereabouts of these Boko Haram sect members that appeared in these special photo identifications. Each of the suspects must have either participated or involved in the ongoing war in the theatre operations of Lafiya Dole.
“If any member of the general public identifies the location and whereabouts of these suspects, please contact these three telephone numbers in this launched anti-terrorism campaign materials in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital,” Buratai requested
He disclosed that most of the suspects are teenagers, adding that only three are above the age of 70 years.
Though he was not definite on the ransom placed on the wanted terrorists, Buratai however assured that a handsome reward awaits any person with useful information leading to their arrest.
While assuring that all information provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality of the informant, he gave the GSM contact numbers for use by anyone with useful information, to include; .0818155888, 08160030300 and 07053333123.
