₦airaland Forum

Scores killed as gunmen stop Governor, DSS, Army, Police from entering town.

Scores of persons are feared killed in a communal conflict in Tigno town of Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Samuel Danga and Usman Babale, both residents of the area, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Yola that the incident sparked off by misunderstanding between two youths.

They told NAN that many people lost their lives from gunshots, while several houses, shops and filling stations were destroyed.

Scores,millitant,
DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, spokesman of the Adamawa State Police Command, also confirmed the development.

Nguroje said the command received report of the conflict on Thursday evening and on Friday.

The police spokesman added that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and security chiefs in the state had visited the area.

He confirmed that the governor and security chiefs were however prevented from entering the town due to heavy gunshots.

Nguroje said: “But some security operatives from the convoy entered the town professionally and rescued about 30 people.”

According to the PPRO, the situation is now under control as heavy armed security were deployed to the area.

He said: “Yesterday (Friday) Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Commissioner of Police, Brigade Commander, Director Department of State Services among other security chiefs, visited the area amidst heavy gunshots.

“Even though the governor and security chiefs’ convoy did not enter the town due to the heavy gunshots, they were at the area for almost three hours.

“We rescued about 30 people to Lafiya Internally Displaced Persons camp and the number of casualties are yet to be ascertained.”

Nguroje also said the Commissioner of Police had deployed the Squadron Commander of MOPOL 14, Area Commander from Numan and all DPOs within the area to the conflict centre.

He further stated that the immediate response had yielded positive result as the gunmen were chased away from Tigno town to nearby hills.

He said the command had deployed officers from the Criminal Investigation Department to the area to establish the remote cause of the conflict and those behind it.

Similarly, Humwashi Wonosikou, the Press Secretary to Fintiri, said the governor visited the area with security chiefs in the state amidst heavy gunfire.

Wonosikou equally said the governor’s convoy could not enter the town.

He said the remote cause of the conflict was still unknown to the government.

“But Government is going to take stiff action and proactive measures to contain the situation and that anybody or group found wanting will definitely face the wrath of the law,” Hunosikou said.

NAN also reports that in less than 12 hours after the deadly communal attack, some gunmen invaded Mbemun community in same Lamurde Local Government Area and rustled cattle and other domestic animals.

Burton William, the Chairman of the local government, confirmed the attack to newsmen on Saturday in Yola.

“The gunmen after looting the community last night burnt down the entire village,” William said.

The chairman said the level of damage was yet to be ascertained.

komekn:
There is historical baggage that's preventing the MOBILE police from progressing and being updated with equipment for modern policing.

Mobile police should have progressed beyond AK47. When the threats level has gone way beyond that.

Criminals and bandits are using GPMG and RPG7.

They are outgunned and need to be upscaled to deal with current threats.

Even we the Army infantry are using the regular Ak47 and GPMG likewise the MOPOL, what matters is training and a little bit of equipping.

Don’t forget few months ago some joint member of NPF/MOPOL and other arm of the police neutralized some BHT.
What they really need is the right training and motivation.

[quote author=bidex111 post=89624097]Libya- GNA claims to have destroyed the Russiain air defense system upon arrival to al-Watiyah Airbase" (likely referencing Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound that reportedly arrived there today, which had several photos of it en route published).

A video footage from the UAV in the immediate aftermath of the strike that destroyed the LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound in al-Watiyah.
Base looks low on activity & UAV operator doesn't seem to perceive any threat given his idleness.
Video-

#Libya- gun cam footage from the UAV in the immediate aftermath of the strike that destroyed the #LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound in al-Watiyah.

Base looks low on activity & UAV operator doesn't seem to perceive any threat given his idleness pic.twitter.com/qzjZUZnqaH

— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 16, 2020

of the LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound that was destroyed in a #GNA UAV strike:
32.467473, 11.916827

Southeast corner of al-Watiyah Airbase

Libya- GNA claims to have destroyed the Russiain air defense system upon arrival to al-Watiyah Airbase" (likely referencing Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound that reportedly arrived there today, which had several photos of it en route published).

A video footage from the UAV in the immediate aftermath of the strike that destroyed the LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound in al-Watiyah.
Base looks low on activity & UAV operator doesn't seem to perceive any threat given his idleness.
Video-

#Libya- gun cam footage from the UAV in the immediate aftermath of the strike that destroyed the #LNA Pantsir-S1/SA-22 Greyhound in al-Watiyah.

Base looks low on activity & UAV operator doesn't seem to perceive any threat given his idleness pic.twitter.com/qzjZUZnqaH

— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 16, 2020

Recent victories

SamuelAnyawu:
The Governor is right. They should form more Vigilance group because the BH in Adamawa axis are not that lethal. Even most villages in Southern Borno are guarded by CJTF and Vigilantees/Hunters.

BH is more of a K*n*ri stuff kinda. That is why the Southern Borno did not give them much support.

Lemme don't say more make e no look like I am kinda tribalistic.

Even if the military presence are there and other security agencies are in ground they still need them to form vigilante group, that’s the bitter truth.
The military is over stretched, they can only come and clear and dislodge them from there hide out but they wouldn’t be able to hold or be there for a long time. And banditry should be the work of MOPOLs or CIVIlL DEFENSE and another hard truth is that there is little the state government can do because the military and other security agencies is controlled by the federal government.
Look at what Borno state government is doing they are seriously investing in the joint vigilante stuff and it’s bearing good result.
The only thing is the state government has to finance very well , provide them with vehicles to carry out patrols, radios, uniforms and some level of weapon to arm and protect the community. Train them, Standardize and professionalize it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrxfmioClWE

Xbee007:
All these yeye politicians self. Who is he waving to?

Bros you don dey vex....

An IWI Tavor riffle-21 equipped with a grenade launcher.

2nd pic is a FN F2000

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GOV. FINTIRI ENJOINS YOUTHS TO FORM VIGILANTE GROUPS FOLLOWING ATTACK ON MBEMUN

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has enjoined youths to brace up and form vigilante groups in their communities to compliment efforts of security personnels In protecting their domain.

He was speaking when he led key stakeholders on an assessment visit to mbemun community of lamurde local government area following an attack on the community Friday night.

Governor Umaru Fintiri reiterated governments determination to ensure that its citizens across nooks and crannies of the state sleep with their two eyes closed.

He urged youths to brace up and form vigilante groups to protect their area assuring of support from security agencies.

He admonished residents not to take law into their hands but to always report any suspicious movement to security agencies.

The Governor added that he will liaise with relevant agencies to look into the importance or otherwise of the use of motorcycles considering the fact that must of such attacks are carried out on motorcycles

Contributing, Deputy Governor Chief Crowther Seth Commended the people for not taking law into their hands, stating that palliatives have been deployed to cushion the effect of the attack.

On his part, representative of the community expressed appreciation to the Governor for his timely response and prayed God to bring an end to such crisis.

Muhammad B. Tukur Gcfr
SSA New Media to the Governor
16th May 2020

Libya- photos from LNA video showing another purported UAV that was shot down near al-Watiyah Airbase

Xbee007:
Just look at the way the aircrafts took turn in pounding them, amazing.

#PressRelease

OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE AIR TASK FORCE NEUTRALIZES SEVERAL BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS, DESTROYS THEIR FACILITIES IN MASSIVE AIR STRIKES AT ALAFA YAGAYAGA, BORNO STATE

1. Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the Sambisa Forest general area of Borno State have been set in disarray as a result of massive air strikes conducted by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 15 May 2020. The operation was executed based on credible intelligence reports as well as series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, which showed that the terrorists had upscaled their activities in the settlement by importing additional fighters and increasing their logistics stocks preparatory to attacks on troops’ locations and surrounding civilian settlements. Consequently, the ATF dispatched an enhanced force package of attack aircraft and a surveillance platform to engage the location.

2. Overhead the target area, significant activity of the terrorists was observed in different parts of the settlement. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets took turns in attacking the target area, neutralizing many BHTs as well as destroying their logistics facilities and other structures in successive passes, thereby further degrading their will to fight.

3. The Armed Forces of Nigeria, operating in concert with other security agencies and stakeholders, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Great Nation. We shall not relent until peace and normalcy are restored not only in the North East but also in every other troubled region of our beloved Country.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
16 May 2020




Video link -

BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF A-JET AND L39ZA STRIKES AT ALAFA YAGAYAGA ON 15 MAY 20 pic.twitter.com/Z6qg8zRgRW

— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DHQNigeria) May 16, 2020

NuclearBomber:
Russian drone tanks.

UGV !

#COIN

NAF GRADUATES NEW BATCH OF SPECIAL FORCES, CSAR OPERATIVES AS CAS INSPECTS ISOLATION WARD, COMMISSIONS TRAINING POOL FOR REGIMENT PERSONNEL IN BAUCHI

In furtherance of its aggressive capacity building efforts to tackle various internal security challenges in the Country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated another batch of Special Forces (SF) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) personnel. The combined graduation ceremony, which took place today, 15 May 2020, at the Regiment Training Centre (RTC) Annex in Bauchi comprised 94 trainees of the SF Course 6/2020 and 32 trainees of CSAR Course 2/2020. The graduating SF Course is the eighth set to be trained by the NAF as SF in the last 5 years, having conducted 5 SF Courses and 2 SF Instructors’ Courses while the graduating CSAR Course is the second batch, following the graduation of the first set in December 2018.

The day’s activities also featured the inspection of a 20-bed Isolation Ward at the 261 NAF Reference Hospital as well as the commissioning of an Olympic Size Swimming Pool for training of Regiment/SF personnel. The Isolation Ward would ensure that the Hospital is equipped to face the contemporary challenges of medical practice in today’s world, especially in response to emerging infectious disease threats like COVID-19, while the Pool was constructed to ensure that SF trainees receive robust, well-rounded training, including watermanship skills, to enable them operate effectively in marine and riverine terrains.

Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, noted that the SF and CSAR personnel were graduating at a time when the Nation was in dire need of their skills to add impetus to operations being conducted to restore normalcy in restive parts of the Country. He urged them to imbibe the attributes of honesty, courage, perseverance and adaptability as they would be required to operate in hostile environments to ensure that the NAF achieved its objectives. He also charged them to endeavour to justify the huge investment in their training by ensuring greater commitment to the security of Nigeria and Nigerians. Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the capability gap in SF and CSAR operations informed the decision to establish the Special Operations Command (SOC) in Bauchi along with its complement of Quick Response Groups and Wings in Gusau, Owerri, Ipetu-Ijesha, Katsina, Birnin-Gwari, Agatu, Nguoroje and Doma as well as the CSAR Group in Kerang, Plateau State. The NAF, he remarked, has subsequently trained over 1,060 personnel both overseas and locally in its bid to generate SF and CSAR teams to man the established units.

The consideration to train CSAR operatives locally, the CAS revealed, was as a result of insufficient training slots and high cost of overseas training. He further disclosed that the Directorate of Regiment was therefore tasked to develop a local training curriculum with the objective of ensuring that the NAF had personnel capable of rescuing downed aircrew in all terrains and weather conditions anywhere in Nigeria. “I am happy to note that our SF personnel have performed commendably well when deployed for operations in conjunction with other security agencies in various areas of operation, thus, returning sanctity to distressed areas in the North West, North East and North Central. This shows that enhancing the capacity and capability of our personnel is the best way of ensuring the attainment of our operational goals”, the CAS said

Speaking further, the CAS stated that the Nation and the entire world were currently embroiled in the COVID-19 pandemic, which, he noted, has affected all aspects of national lives with attendant high rate of morbidity. Accordingly, he said, the NAF, in living up to its constitutional role, had built adequate capacity for flight nurses to enable them serve as first responders in cases of medical emergencies. He equally highlighted that the NAF had hitherto embarked on mass production of face masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as well as the provision of Liquid Oxygen to designated Hospitals and Isolation Centres across the country. He further disclosed that the NAF has also continued to provide airlift for personnel of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as medical equipment and supplies, whenever its services were required. He noted that the NAF had so far flown over 300 hours of airlift missions in support of the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19. All these efforts as well as several other initiatives, he said, were aimed at adequately providing Military Aid to Civil Authority as enshrined in the Constitution. According to him, appropriate protective measures had also been emplaced within NAF bases, while aggressive enlightenment campaigns to educate NAF personnel and their families on the dangers of the virus and how to prevent its spread had equally been undertaken. He therefore enjoined personnel to continue to stay safe and maintain physical distancing at all times.

Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the priority attention given to training and operational needs of the NAF. The support provided by the Federal Government, according to him, has positively impacted on the overall performance of the NAF, especially in the areas of training, which has substantially enhanced operational efficiency, as well as improved provision of welfare and other services. The CAS also commended the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Ground Training Command (GTC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Idi-Amin, as well as the Commander Regiment Training Centre Annex and his team of instructors for working tirelessly to transform the personnel into SF and CSAR operatives, respectively. He encouraged them to continue with the excellent work, while promising that the Service would continue to provide them with the required support to position the NAF Regiment as an elite fighting force.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the AOC GTC stated that the curriculum of the SF Course entailed intensive training in shooting skills, unarmed combat, navigation, field tactics, communications, endurance and combat swimming, amongst others. He disclosed that the trainees were also taught to operate the Ruchnaya Granata Distantsionnaya (RGD-5) grenade, PKM gun and the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG 7) launcher which were recently acquired by the present NAF Administration. According to him, the courses were intentionally tailored to ensure that the SF and CSAR operatives could withstand the grueling physical conditions of ground operations. He disclosed that, of the 275 personnel screened for SF Course 6/2020, only 117 were inaugurated to start the course, while 94 personnel, comprising 5 officers and 89 airmen and airwomen graduated, indicating a success rate of about 50 per cent. Similarly, the AOC remarked that 35 personnel, comprising 5 officers and 30 airmen, were initially nominated for the CSAR Course 2/2020 and only 32 students completed the requirements to be CSAR operators. “Hence, only the fittest trainees equipped with the right attitude were able to complete the course to qualify as SF (Panthers) and CSAR operators of the NAF”, he said.

Highlights of the graduation ceremony were tactical demonstrations by the graduating students and other SF personnel. These included a maritime assault demonstration at the newly commissioned Pool; an obstacle crossing demonstration by NAF SF personnel as well as a KRAV MAGA (unarmed combat drill) demonstration. There was also an air-ground assault simulation exercise, which featured the rappelling of a joint SF and CSAR Team from an Mi-171E Helicopter into a hostile environment to rescue a downed pilot, which was executed with precision to the delight of all present. Awards were also presented to graduating students who had distinguished themselves on the 2 Courses.

Also present at the ceremony were the host, the AOC SOC, along with Branch Chiefs from Headquarters NAF as well as Commanders and Commandants of Nigerian Army and NAF Formations in Bauchi.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
15 May 2020

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Still on the Nigerian Air Force movie "Eagle wings". A beautiful story that you don't just need to missed. Watch out, coming soon.

SamuelAnyawu:
Helicopter hovering around Maiduguri right now. I hope all is well

You no Dey sleep......

11 REPENTANT TERRORISTS SURRENDER TO TROOPS – ARMED FORCES.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria says 11 Boko Haram and Islamic States of West Africa Province, ISWAP Terrorists have surrendered to troops of operation Lafiya Dole in the North East theater of operations.

The Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche who made this known during a media briefing in Abuja, said 72 abandoned family members of the terrorists had also been rescue

Major General Eneche explained that the numbers of surrendered Boko- Haram and ISWAP terrorists is an indication of the heat and sustained onslaught of the operational activities of the Nigerian troops in the North East.

The General who pointed out that there are indications that more terrorists were willing to surrender, said 61 terrorists were killed while 72 abandoned family members of the terrorists were apprehended during the operations.

According to him, the repentant insurgents are being profiled for further action.

The coordinator Defence Media Operations stated that troops of operation Whirl Stroke also arrested 4 suspected armed herdsmen and recovered some arms and ammunition.

He advised parents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to caution their wards and children not to succumb to inducements to be recruited into Boko-Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

#PressBriefing

UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS
1. In line with the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to update the general public regularly on its operations, I am to brief you this morning on our operations generally with emphasis on some of them. Let me stress that it is a joint effort of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.

OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE
2. On 11 May 2020, eleven ISWAP fighters surrendered to troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Adamawa State. The repentant insurgents are being profiled for further action. This number of surrendered BHT/ISWAP fighters is an indication of the heat of our operational activities on the terrorists due to the renewed impetus in the theatre to end the criminality. There are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender.

One of such moves, was the dropping off of 72 family members of BHTs/ISWAP at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State on 10 May 2020 around 8.30pm, comprising 33 women and 39 children. All of them are in custody of troops for further action.

It would be recalled that the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme for ex-fighters under Operation SAFE CORRIDOR has recorded tremendous success. So far, 280 clients have successfully undergone the programme and reintegrated into the society, 25 of this number were repatriated to Niger Republic. Presently, 603 clients are due to pass out in June 2020. Other fighters are hereby encouraged to come out of the bush/hideouts to surrender. The military High Command is using this medium to request parents, traditional rulers, community, opinion and religious leaders to urge their wards and children not to succumb to inducements by the BHT/ISWAP for recruitment into their fold because the temporarily surviving terrorists are now in dire need of fighters.

3. Meanwhile, on 9 May 2020 troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE at Uvaha High Ground Area in Limankara, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State neutralized 3 suicide bombers attempting to infiltrate the defence location. Similarity, troops of 144 Battalion, 82 Division task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade and 271 Task Force Tank Battalion neutralized 18 Boko Haram Terrorists within the past one week. These operations took place at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale Road in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State as well as Ngoshe near the Nigeria – Cameroon border. A total of 72 persons were also rescued from the Boko Haram Terrorists.

4. Also, on 9 May 2020, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, at Pulka - Ngurosoye, near Bama town repelled BHT ambush and killed 20 terrorists, while on escort duty. Equally, on 13 May 2020, Operation LAFIYA DOLE troops killed 9 BHTs in an ambush at Mainok – Jakana axis in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. Two gun trucks mounted with anti aircraft gun were captured. In all 61 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralized in the Theatre, aside from those that escaped with gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival.

5. In a swift operation, within this period, gallant Troop of Army Super Camp Mallam Fatori on 11 May 2020, conducted a clearance operation to Tumbun Fulani in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State. Several terrorists were killed while their vehicles and logistics bases were destroyed.

OPERATION WHIRL STROKE

6. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, on 12 May 2020, while responding to a distress call on suspected armed herdsmen infiltration at Agasha in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State neutralized 4 assailants. Troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 4 magazines and 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from them. The general public is hereby requested to continue to provide credible information to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, to facilitate our operations in this regard.

7. I am to warmly state that, the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria congratulates the gallant troops for successes recorded and once more call on parents, traditional, opinion, community and religious leaders to advise their wards and subjects not to succumb to inducements by the terrorists, as the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains decisive to end the insurgency and other security challenges in the Country. Furthermore, the High Command wishes to thank the general public for their support and solicits for their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive engagements in our operations.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
15 May 2020

Documentary - NAF A FORMIDABLE FORCE @ 56






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT6ilz96Hao



Guys its out, enjoy it.

#PressRelease

OPERATION HADARIN DAJI NEUTRALIZES 27 ARMED BANDITS IN A COORDINATED AIR ATTACK ALONG KATSINA-ZAMFARA BORDER

1. The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has neutralized 27 armed bandits and destroyed some of their dwellings along the Nahuta-Doumborou Corridor on the border between Katsina and Zamfara States. The operation was executed yesterday, 14 May 2020, sequel to credible intelligence reports indicating that a notorious armed bandit leader and his followers were harboured in a cluster of huts near a high ground in the area. Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched a Nigerian Air Force attack helicopter as well as a ground attack aircraft to engage the location.

2. Overhead the target area, several of the armed bandits were seen along with a large number of rustled cattle. The attack aircraft took turns in engaging the area, neutralizing some of the bandits while few escaped with injuries. Human Intelligence (HUMINT) sources later confirmed that no fewer than 27 bandits were neutralized as a result of the attack.

3. The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to thank all Nigerians for their support and encourages the general public to continue providing useful information that would facilitate its operations to restore peace and security to all affected parts of the Country.


JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
15 May 2020.

BOKO HARAM TERRORISM AND THE NIGERIAN MILITARY: CURRENT SITUATION IN THE BATTLE FIELD.

By EL – HAROON KAMILU ZARIA

Between the 27th of March – 10th of May 2020, there are credible signs and several reports backed with relevant photographs depicting obvious achievements made by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, other security agencies, Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes in the North East Geo-political zone. The war on terror in Nigeria, as tedious, hazardous and time consuming as it is, is now being prosecuted with sheer professionalism, dedication and commitment by the military and other security organizations with noticeable successes being achieved on a sustained regular basis.
L
The current remarkable achievements made so far may not be unconnected with the commitment, resilience, courage and selfless disposition of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai who has since early April relocated to the battlefield with some of his selected principal staff officers including chief of training and operations of the Nigerian Army, chief of military intelligence, theatre commander operation LAFIYA DOLE and other field/sector commanders to personally coordinate and oversee the operation against the insurgents. The gains made against the terrorists are so overwhelming that they are now in disarray and in pitiable state crouching to safety.

Accordingly, as was exclusively reported by HumAngle’s Ahmed Salkida that on March 27, 2020, the Nigerian military has eliminated 18 Boko Haram commanders in a series of ground and air raids in Lake Chad between January and March.

According to Salkida that – “in April, HumAngle’s independent assessment of the war at the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest revealed major gains at the war front by Nigerian led Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Although the Nigerian military declared that the army killed 343 insurgents in recent combat operations, investigations have established that there were probably heavier casualties suffered by the insurgents between March 18 and May 5 particularly when casualty figures from Buni-Gari and Geidam encounters are included.

Reporting the military operations to the media the Coordinator of Defence Military Operations, Maj Gen John Enenche said that – “a number of air interdictions were conducted, which led to the destruction of several BHT logistics facilities and compounds housing some of their leaders, including Abu Usamah, and a number of their fighters who were eliminated.”

Also in an article recently published in HumAngle, mr Salkida, (an ardent critique of the Nigerian Military) further exposed the successes of the military operations against Boko Haram Terrorists. According to him – “impeccable sources knowledgeable about the conflict in the Northeast have revealed the exact locations of the MNJTF and the Nigerian military bombardments of the operational camps in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo all in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis of Borno State”.

Similarly, there are many media reports indicating that – “Boko haram/ISWAP fighters fleeing the recent military offensive were about settling down in choice locations in Alargo and the Marte flank when the Nigerian Military and the MNJTF located, fixed, targeted and bombarded scores of the fighters in air and ground operations”.
Local sources and media reports put the casualty figures that from the raids above 500, an indication that the figure earlier given by the military was probably understated”.

“Analysts who follow the insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin tend to place the recent audio message released by Abubakar Shekau which was exclusively reported by HumAngle in context and conclude that the message mirrors the bloody nose the insurgents are receiving currently in the war fronts”.

At the moment, there are clear signs the terrorists are in utter confusion accentuated by the lack of food, logistics and other necessities of life. The criminals are now effectively blockaded by the military making Abubakar Shekau to cry out and appeal to his remaining fighters in the audio message to be extra patient and resilient. Shekau alluded to the period of “trial” that his fighters were going through and urged them “not to relent in prayer.”
HumAngle has earlier reported that – “sources have highlighted the loss of no fewer than 60 war commanders” between March and May, in both the Chadian and Nigerian military operations, an indication that military’s earlier reported elimination of 18 commanders across Boko Haram/ISWAP factions was lower than the actual numbers.

Similarly, there are reports from the locals within the camps of the insurgents that the Boko Haram fighters could no longer freely move in large groups in daylight because 28 of their foreign informants and local collaborators were arrested. Also the ground troops deployed on carefully selected ambush sites have so far been eliminating the insurgents on a periodic basis. Equally, the Air Force, according to the sources, is likely to pick out two out of three large vehicular movements in the day.
Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province convoys have been reportedly severally intercepted by both the ground troops on ambush sites and the Nigerian Air Force in recent times. Terrorists now move from one location to another in the night to avoid detection and elimination by the troops”.

Also credible reports from the military and local sources, hinted that ground troops have also intensified artillery fire, further employing multi barrel launchers, motar bombs and rocket propelled grenades with several new gun trucks which effectively saturate parts of Alagarno and Sambisa forests as well as the tumbun jaki, tumbun Rago and tumbun gini in mallam Fatori local government area of Borno State.

Salkida further stated that – “The military operations in the territories have also resulted in overrunning insurgents’ camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi in and around Sambisa, sources said, adding that “hundreds” of insurgent fighters died in battles in these camps”.

With the level of successes achieved so far, the Nigerian military has to sustain the gains by engaging in a more vigorous robust offensive operations to avoid terrorists regrouping and gradually recovering lost grounds which will be a disastrous drawback to the current tempo of counter terrorism operations.

To ensure final defeat of the Insurgents, the battle must be taken to their door steps on a sustained basis. How our military carries on with the operations in the coming days or weeks will determine the final defeat or otherwise of terrorism in Nigeria

Krak:
komekn is not a troll. He is just someone with radical alternative viewpoints.

Sometimes,we need people like him.