EARLY reports of military operations in the three
North-East states under emergency rule, on
Thursday, indicated that Nigerian soldiers had
recaptured three of the local government areas
where insurgents had been in control in northern
Borno.
The names of the recaptured councils could not be
confirmed out of the lot in possession of the violent
Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The areas where the
insurgents were said to have been in total control
before the military operation launched on Thursday
were Marte, Magumeri, Mobbar, Gubio, Guzamala,
Abadamin, Kukawa, Kaga, Nganzai and Monguno.
Also, the troops reportedly invaded and took over a
training camp of the violent Islamic sect, Boko
Haram, known as Sambisa on the outskirts of
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in the early hours
of Thursday.
Borno as well as Adamawa and Yobe states fell
under emergency rule by presidential proclamation
on Tuesday.
President Goodluck Jonathan said all efforts to bring
the violence in the area under control had failed
hence the need to use force to force insurgents out of
the states, especially Borno where the President said
insurgents had taken control of the northern part.
A soldier who spoke to one of our correspondents
from Maiduguri, on the condition of anonymity,
said, "We have succeeded in taking over Sambisa
Games Reserve, which the sect had been using as its
camp. Scores of people found in the camp were
arrested.
"We will interrogate them and those who are not
members of the sect will be set free. The operation is
being carried out in such a way that there is no
harassment. The innocent should not be afraid."
The source however declined to comment on the
number of casualties already recorded and the
number of persons arrested.
The PUNCH learnt that troops on Thursday shut
down almost half of the state as they attacked
suspected Boko Haram enclaves.
A man who spoke to one of our correspondents on
the telephone from Maiduguri narrated that the
military operation in the city had disrupted normal
life.
He said the number of roadblocks had increased and
that "farmers are no longer going to the farm, only a
few traders are venturing out to the market.
"Shop owners who sell provisions are finding it
difficult to replenish their stock."
The source further explained that even residents of
Maiduguri, considered safe were living in fear.
This, he explained, was because they feared that the
insurgents could sneak into town. The Boko Haram
insurgency began in Maiduguri in 2009 and Borno
State is seen as the operational base of the sect that
has killed at least 2,500 persons in attacks on military
and police facilities, drinking joints, worship houses
and markets.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen. Chris
Olukolade, said in a telephone interview with one of
our correspondents that more troops had been
deployed in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
He declined to comment on the number of troops
that were billed to participate in the major military
operations planned to flush out the insurgents from
the area.
Olukolade said that it was not strategic to disclose
the number of soldiers or security personnel that
would be used for the operation.
"All I can say is that more soldiers have been
deployed today; that I can confirm to you. On the
issue of the numbers that are being quoted, they are
not from the DHQ. We are not quoting any number.
"The operation is continuing satisfactorily. Details
will be made available to the public at the
appropriate time."
Another source in the besieged area said, "We now
have more soldiers and weapons than I have ever
seen in my life. Although some of them are moving
towards the north, some are remaining here in
Maiduguri.
"I have no idea what is going on in places like Bama,
Marte, Magumeri, and Monguno where the Boko
Haram people have taken control of some towns and
villages. But movement in-and-out of these areas has
been restricted."
The Nigerian Army on Thursday announced an
indefinite dusk-to-dawn curfew in Adamawa State.
Public Relations Officer of 23rd Brigade of the
Nigerian Army, Yola, Lt. Ja'afaru Nuhu, in a
statement on Thursday said the curfew would be
between 6 pm and 6 am until further notice.
He said, "Sequel to the Presidential declaration of
state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa
states by the President and Commander-in-Chief of
the armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
President Goodluck Jonathan, a 6pm to 6am curfew
has been imposed on Adamawa State.
"All law-abiding citizens are advised to abide by the
curfew," the statement said.
There are reports that business and other activities
are going on as usual in Yola in spite of the heavy
deployment of soldiers and policemen in strategic
places.
The BBC reports on Thursday indicated that mobile
phone networks were not functioning in many parts
of North-East states, though the reporter said it was
not clear if the situation was related to the current
military offensive.
The insurgents had previously attacked mobile
phone masts in the area in an effort to disrupt
communications.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Inuwa
Bwala, and the Director of Press, Mallam Isa Gusau,
could not be reached as of the time of this report.


Source: mobile.punchng.com/output.php?link=http://www.punchng.com/news/borno-troops-capture-boko-harams-camp/

“These miscreants underestimated the capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces. What they are seeing now and running into their hideouts is just deployments and movement. Wait until we begin continuous bombardments, then they will realize that democracy doesn’t mean you take the country for a ride” - from a Soldier.

The best option!! Since they don't wana settle this in peace

Front page please

Nice one, hoping for more improvements

...cowards let them come out and fight now!nt bombing markets,churches,schools,hospitals,banks and prisons,come out and get the real deal!or i guess they no longer want to go to heaven and feed on virgins!