Troops Capture Boko Haram Spies as Explosion Kills Officer, 3 soldiers
Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed in various parts of the northeast under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the Multinational Joint Task Force in conjunction with sister Services and other Security Agencies have continued the fight against terrorism relentlessly. They have been doing so through patrols, clearance operations, patrols and maintaining blocking positions. They have also been contributing their bits in humanitarian activities to enhance civil-military relations with their respective host communities.
Troops of 152 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Banki have been rendering humanitarian assistance to over 887 Nigerian refugees returned from Cameroon since Tuesday 27th June 2017. The troops out of sheer love have apart from organizing their safe return have been using their resources to feed and make them comfortable through feeding and provision of accommodation pending when humanitarian agencies would fully take over. It was reported that this kind gesture endeared the troops to the returnees as most of them such meals were best in the last couple of years. Beyond that according to a humanitarian worker, “the army is also providing shelter at the barracks for several aid workers including UNICEF and UNHCR supported staff. This is giving confidence to more Humanitarian workers to move to Banki and to serve those who need us most.”
On 29th June 2017, at about 8.00am a patrol team of 133 Special Forces Battalion on patrol to Maiduguri, encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried on the road between Kangarwa and Alagarno village.
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Unfortunately, the IED claimed the life of an officer and 3 soldiers, while 3 other members of the patrol team sustained various degrees of injuries. Their Hilux vehicle was also completely damaged.
The bodies of the late officer and soldiers have since been evacuated while the wounded have also been moved to the unit’s medical facility.
It is gratifying to note also that the 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists that planted the IED and hide were pursued and neutralized.
Similarly the Headquarters of 23 Brigade Nigerian Army at about 2.30pm handed over one Miss Jada Hachaba to her mother in the presence relatives and Alhaji Bello, the District Head of Gulak at the Brigade’s Headquarters in Yola. It will be recalled that Miss Jada was abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists but she escaped.
Troops of 27 Brigade Garrison Nigerian Army, on Thursday 29th June 2017, at about 3.40pm discovered a 122mm D30 Unexploded Ordinance inside an uncompleted building at the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Buni Yadi, Yobe State. The unit’s Explosive Ordinance Team were drafted into the scene and they safely detonated it.
Based on credible information received, troops of 159 Battalion Nigerian Army arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ collaborators/informants; Abubakar Ahmed aged 23 years and Aji Maina aged 45 years. Both were arrested on Wednesday 28th June 2017 at Garin Gada and Kanamma respectively after painstaking trailing. Abubakar Ahmed was arrested while trying to collect relief materials for onward conveyance to Boko Haram terrorists, while Aji Maina was arrested while on transit at Kanamma enroute Gamari in Niger Republic. The suspects are further being interrogated.
Vigilant elements of 8 Division Nigerian Army stationed at Kukawa, northern Borno State intercepted 2 minors; Abubakar Aji aged 13 and Isah Mustapha aged 12 on spying mission on troops location at Kukawa. On further interrogation the minors claimed to have been with Boko Haram terrorists in Kangarawa since 2014.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations
