Nigerian troops have eliminated Boko Haram?s chief bomb maker, Amirul Bumma, along with eight other insurgents during a clearance operation in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

Security sources revealed that the operation took place recently in Bama Local Government Area as part of Operation Desert Sanity 4.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Haruna, praised their gallantry and reaffirmed the military?s commitment to eradicating terrorism in the Northeast and across Nigeria.

Military sources confirmed that the troops of the 21 Armoured Brigade, 199 Special Forces Battalion, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and hybrid forces launched the offensive based on intelligence that insurgents were regrouping in a well-fortified enclave between Sabil Huda and Njimiya, near Alai Dala Stand.

?The insurgents, caught off guard, attempted to resist but were overpowered by the troops? superior firepower. After the battle, it was observed that the terrorists had brought hospital beds to the battlefield, intending to evacuate their casualties?an indication of the devastating blow they suffered,? a security source disclosed.

In addition to neutralising the insurgents, troops recovered a significant cache of high-caliber ammunition.

Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to retaliate, Boko Haram fighters planted multiple improvised explosive devices along the troops? withdrawal route.

However, the troops successfully detected and neutralized about 10 IEDs, preventing potential casualties.

Insurgents attack police station

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a police station in Malari, Borno State, in the early hours of Wednesday, security sources have confirmed.

The assault, which occurred around 1 a.m., was repelled by police officers on duty with support from the military, preventing the insurgents from penetrating the town.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said the coordinated response of the police and soldiers forced the attackers to retreat after a gun battle.

?Yes, there was an attack on Malari Police Station. There were no casualties. We have a police Forward Operation Base in the area, and our officers have been on the ground for a long time. This is not the first time such an attack has happened, but the officers remained resilient, repelling the insurgents and preventing them from entering the town,? Daso stated.

He explained that while the police initially engaged the attackers, military reinforcements later arrived to support them.

On the extent of damage to police facilities, Daso disclosed that the primary target of the insurgents was a police Armoured Personnel Carrier.

?The terrorists fired at the APC, specifically targeting its tyres. While the tyres were damaged, the vehicle itself remained intact,? he said.

Daso further noted that while no casualties were recorded on the side of security forces, it was likely that some of the insurgents had been killed in the exchange of fire.

?No bodies have been recovered yet, but definitely, there are casualties on their (insurgents?) side,? he added.

The police spokesperson assured residents of Malari that security agencies remain vigilant and prepared to prevent future attacks.

?Malari was once a ghost town with no civil authority. Since the deployment of the police crack team, we have faced multiple attacks, but we remain steadfast in ensuring the protection of every citizen in the community,? he reassured.

However, local sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, expressed fears that the insurgents might regroup and launch another attack, this time targeting civilians.

?We are scared that they may return. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of our military and security personnel, but we urge them to strengthen security even further,? one resident said.

(The PUNCH)

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