The military on Friday made further gains in its
offensive against the terrorist Boko Haram sect by
routing them from Bara, the headquarters of Gulani
Local Government Area of Yobe State and Gulak, the
headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of
Adamawa State.
This is coming on the heels of reports that the military
is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of the sect,
Abubakar Shekau, whose double had been reported
killed twice since the declaration of the States of
Emergency in 2013.
On the same day, President Goodluck Jonathan
expressed confidence that Nigerian troops would
sustain the momentum built up in the ongoing full
scale operations against the terrorists Boko Haram
sect.
Aside from Gulak and Bara liberated by the military,
other locations also cleared in the course of the two-
day operation against the terrorists in the North-east
included Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and
Bumsa.
According to a statement from the military authorities,
fierce fighting that preceded the clearing of the towns
and other communities resulted in appreciable
casualties on the side of the terrorists.
The military said it captured some of the terrorists and
recovered thousands of assorted rounds of
ammunition as well as vehicles and other equipment
including; Anti-Aircraft Guns, General Purpose Machine
Guns (GPMGs), Grenades, Multi-barrel bombs, Multi-
barrel Grenade Launchers, rifles and mortar guns.
Residents of Gulak taking refuge in Yola, the state’s
capital went into wild jubilation when news filtered in
that their local government had been liberated.
Madagali was among the seven local government
areas of the state captured by the Boko Haram
insurgents last year but six were liberated by the
troops leaving Madagali in the hands of the insurgents
until yesterday when it was also liberated.
The residents expressed gratitude to President
Jonathan for boosting the morale of the troops during
his visits to the state on Thursday adding that the visit
had impacted on the fight against the insurgents.
One of the residents, who simply identified himself,
Mallam Musa said they got the news of the liberation
of Gulak on BBC Hausa news and their men who were
still living on mountain tops, who also called to break
the good news to them.
Military closes in on Shekau…
Meanwhile, the military is fast closing in on the
dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.
Intelligence sources disclosed to THISDAY that Shekau
had been cornered but could not yet be taken out
because of the use of captured girls, women and
children as shield by him.
A top intelligence source, who doesn't want to give
more details because of the sensitive nature of the
operation, noted that "Shekau's operational areas had
been depleted and the military are ever closer to
locating him".
"The military knows where he is but the truth is that
he is using some of the captives as shield," the source
said.
Meanwhile, Western forces in the lake Chad region are
said to have avoided confrontation with the insurgents.
The AFP reported yesterday that Canadian Special
Forces participating in military training in southeast
Niger, near the border with Nigeria, were ordered to
withdraw recently to avoid fighting Boko Haram.
According to the report, the troops had been posted to
the town of Diffa, where the government of Niger
declared a state of emergency on February 11
following attacks in the region that borders Boko
Haram's stronghold in Northeast Nigeria.
The Canadians, it noted, were participating in US-
sponsored counter-terrorism training that started on
February 16 and due to end on March 9.
The annual programme has 1,300 troops from 19
countries training militaries in five African countries in
shooting, movement, communications, and mission
planning.
Dominique Tessier from Canada's defense department
did not say how many Canadians were at risk of
confrontation with Boko Haram, but noted in an email
to AFP that "several members" were relocated from
Diffa to other areas such as Agadez and Niamey in
Niger and N'Djamena in Chad "due to security issues."
"This was seen as a prudent measure given the
current security situation in the region," Tessier said,
adding the exercise continues.
The Canadian Special Forces also stand ready to
provide humanitarian or other assistance, should
Ottawa decide to offer help, Tessier said.
President: Troops to sustain push against terrorists…
In a related development, President Jonathan has
assured that the military would sustain the push
against the terrorists.
Jonathan who spoke while hosting with the outgoing
French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jacques
Champagne De Labriolle at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
assured that the military would rapidly recover more
territories from the sect.
The President noted that the officers and men of the
Nigerian Army he met on the frontlines in Borno and
Adamawa states on Thursday were in very high spirits,
well prepared and determined to successfully complete
their operations against Boko Haram.
“We have already recovered much territory and very
soon, our troops will clear the terrorists out of other
areas not presently under our control’’ the President
assured the French Ambassador
Welcoming a congratulatory message from President
Francois Hollande to Nigeria for recent successes of
its armed forces against Boko Haram, Jonathan
restated Nigeria’s appreciation of France’s unwavering
support for the country and its neighbours in the fight
against terrorism.
Jonathan particularly commended his French
counterpart for organising the Paris Summit of Heads
of State of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger
and Chad in May 2014 to foster greater regional
cooperation against terrorism and insurgency.
In his remarks, Ambassador Labriolle said that France
was confident about the future of Nigeria and its
ability to continue playing a huge role in Africa and
world affairs.”
The ambassador expressed delight at improved trade
and economic ties between Nigeria and France in the
last three years, saying over 250 French companies
are currently operating in Nigeria.
offensive against the terrorist Boko Haram sect by
routing them from Bara, the headquarters of Gulani
Local Government Area of Yobe State and Gulak, the
headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of
Adamawa State.
This is coming on the heels of reports that the military
is fast closing in on the dreaded leader of the sect,
Abubakar Shekau, whose double had been reported
killed twice since the declaration of the States of
Emergency in 2013.
On the same day, President Goodluck Jonathan
expressed confidence that Nigerian troops would
sustain the momentum built up in the ongoing full
scale operations against the terrorists Boko Haram
sect.
Aside from Gulak and Bara liberated by the military,
other locations also cleared in the course of the two-
day operation against the terrorists in the North-east
included Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and
Bumsa.
According to a statement from the military authorities,
fierce fighting that preceded the clearing of the towns
and other communities resulted in appreciable
casualties on the side of the terrorists.
The military said it captured some of the terrorists and
recovered thousands of assorted rounds of
ammunition as well as vehicles and other equipment
including; Anti-Aircraft Guns, General Purpose Machine
Guns (GPMGs), Grenades, Multi-barrel bombs, Multi-
barrel Grenade Launchers, rifles and mortar guns.
Residents of Gulak taking refuge in Yola, the state’s
capital went into wild jubilation when news filtered in
that their local government had been liberated.
Madagali was among the seven local government
areas of the state captured by the Boko Haram
insurgents last year but six were liberated by the
troops leaving Madagali in the hands of the insurgents
until yesterday when it was also liberated.
The residents expressed gratitude to President
Jonathan for boosting the morale of the troops during
his visits to the state on Thursday adding that the visit
had impacted on the fight against the insurgents.
One of the residents, who simply identified himself,
Mallam Musa said they got the news of the liberation
of Gulak on BBC Hausa news and their men who were
still living on mountain tops, who also called to break
the good news to them.
Military closes in on Shekau…
Meanwhile, the military is fast closing in on the
dreaded leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.
Intelligence sources disclosed to THISDAY that Shekau
had been cornered but could not yet be taken out
because of the use of captured girls, women and
children as shield by him.
A top intelligence source, who doesn't want to give
more details because of the sensitive nature of the
operation, noted that "Shekau's operational areas had
been depleted and the military are ever closer to
locating him".
"The military knows where he is but the truth is that
he is using some of the captives as shield," the source
said.
Meanwhile, Western forces in the lake Chad region are
said to have avoided confrontation with the insurgents.
The AFP reported yesterday that Canadian Special
Forces participating in military training in southeast
Niger, near the border with Nigeria, were ordered to
withdraw recently to avoid fighting Boko Haram.
According to the report, the troops had been posted to
the town of Diffa, where the government of Niger
declared a state of emergency on February 11
following attacks in the region that borders Boko
Haram's stronghold in Northeast Nigeria.
The Canadians, it noted, were participating in US-
sponsored counter-terrorism training that started on
February 16 and due to end on March 9.
The annual programme has 1,300 troops from 19
countries training militaries in five African countries in
shooting, movement, communications, and mission
planning.
Dominique Tessier from Canada's defense department
did not say how many Canadians were at risk of
confrontation with Boko Haram, but noted in an email
to AFP that "several members" were relocated from
Diffa to other areas such as Agadez and Niamey in
Niger and N'Djamena in Chad "due to security issues."
"This was seen as a prudent measure given the
current security situation in the region," Tessier said,
adding the exercise continues.
The Canadian Special Forces also stand ready to
provide humanitarian or other assistance, should
Ottawa decide to offer help, Tessier said.
President: Troops to sustain push against terrorists…
In a related development, President Jonathan has
assured that the military would sustain the push
against the terrorists.
Jonathan who spoke while hosting with the outgoing
French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jacques
Champagne De Labriolle at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
assured that the military would rapidly recover more
territories from the sect.
The President noted that the officers and men of the
Nigerian Army he met on the frontlines in Borno and
Adamawa states on Thursday were in very high spirits,
well prepared and determined to successfully complete
their operations against Boko Haram.
“We have already recovered much territory and very
soon, our troops will clear the terrorists out of other
areas not presently under our control’’ the President
assured the French Ambassador
Welcoming a congratulatory message from President
Francois Hollande to Nigeria for recent successes of
its armed forces against Boko Haram, Jonathan
restated Nigeria’s appreciation of France’s unwavering
support for the country and its neighbours in the fight
against terrorism.
Jonathan particularly commended his French
counterpart for organising the Paris Summit of Heads
of State of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger
and Chad in May 2014 to foster greater regional
cooperation against terrorism and insurgency.
In his remarks, Ambassador Labriolle said that France
was confident about the future of Nigeria and its
ability to continue playing a huge role in Africa and
world affairs.”
The ambassador expressed delight at improved trade
and economic ties between Nigeria and France in the
last three years, saying over 250 French companies
are currently operating in Nigeria.
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