Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Ola
Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday said it had
averted a pre-Sallah tragedy in Borno State by
uncovering a plot by insurgents to wreak havoc
in three communities.
It also confirmed the killing 40 of the
insurgents and destruction of a vehicle wired
with Improvised Explosive Devices which was
meant to be exploded in Bama on Sunday
night.
The Spokesman of the 7th Division of the
Nigerian Army, Capt. Aliyu Danja, who
disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said
some of the insurgents escaped with gunshot
wounds.
Danja said that the terror suspects had planned
to launch coordinated attacks in Bama, Gwoza
and Pulka towns in Borno State at the same
time on Sunday.
He added, “Troops of 7th Division Nigerian
Army have foiled yet another attack by Boko
Haram terrorists aimed at inflicting havoc on
Borno State prior to Sallah festivities.
“The terrorists who are of unknown strength
attempted coordinated simultaneous attacks on
Bama, Gwoza and Pulka on the night of
Sunday, October 13, 2013.
“Soldiers of 7 Division in anticipation,
however, successfully repelled all the attacks,
killing 40 terrorists in the three locations while
several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Soldiers also destroyed a pickup vehicle
loaded with IEDs meant for destruction of
Bama during the encounter.”
The statement added that a combined
operation by the Nigerian Air Force and
ground troops led to the neutralisation of a
plot by Boko Haram elements and their
weapons at Kilani area of the state.
It stated that the Eid-el Kabir prayers were
held amid tight security provided by the men
of the Division ‘7’ of the Nigerian Army under
the leadership of the Commanding Officer,
Maj. Gen Obadiah Ethan.
The 2011 Sallah celebrations were marred by
multiple bombings planned and executed by
the Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri,
Borno State on Friday, November 4, 2011.
Several explosives planted in the city were
programmed to go off simultaneously in the
troubled city including the offices of the Joint
Task Force.
The Agence France Presse reported then that
two suicide bombers driving a black SUV laden
with IEDs detonated the devices in front of the
JTF headquarters in Maiduguri when they failed
to gain entrance into the premises. The military
said two suicide bombers died.
The attacks took place two days before the
annual Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha or
the Feast of Sacrifice.
On October 27, 2012, insurgents launched an
attacks a few hours to Sallah in Maiduguri,
killing three youths in the presence of their
parents at at Zajiri Ward in Maiduguri
The gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram
members also killed 15 people in Baga market
that same year.
http://www.punchng.com/news/troops-avert-pre-sallah-tragedy-in-borno/