The Nigeria military and other security operatives battling the Boko
Haram insurgency in the North east have announced further breakthrough
in the campaign against the insurgents particularly in the Balmo Forest.
Earlier in the week, the office of the Defence Information headed by
Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade announced they overran the forest, another
notorious location like the Sambisa Forest, but located between Bauchi
and Jigawa states.
During the mop up operation at Balmo earlier in the week, the
security operatives announced that they took over the stronghold and
arrested Boko Haram members including mercenaries.
Another report had indicated that the military killed 44 of the insurgents in the assault, and recovered so much ammunition.
From reliable local sources, it was during the onslaught by the
military on Boko Haram at the base that about 60 of the over 70 women of
Borno State hitherto held hostage and captive in the forest made their
way out back into freedom.
In the latest operation yesterday, Defence Information noted that
further raids in the forest have uncovered underground ammunitions
dumps. This is in addition to the passports and ID cards of prominent
politicians found at the forest, which the military suspect, should have
links with the terrorists.
Olukolade’s statement yesterday indicated that: “Mop up operations in
Balmo Forest is yielding more discoveries of arms stockpiled in
underground cells in the forest. Troops who have been excavating
various sites in the forest in search of hidden weapons, have so far
recovered over 10 rifles along with parts and accessories as well as
more than 80 General Purpose Machine Guns, tubes of Rocket Propelled
Grenades and Launchers, cables, wires and thousands of rounds of
assorted ammunition. Also recovered in the search are uniforms of
security agencies including protective clothing.
“Meanwhile, suspects captured in the forest have been taken into
custody and are volunteering information linking the activities in the
forest with other terrorist activities in the country.”
Source: The Sun
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