A total of 82 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in combat with Nigerian troops in the month of August 2017 alone, the Headquarters, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian Army disclosed on Friday. It also has refuted the claim of a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Buba Galadima, that seven local government areas (LGAs) of Borno are were still under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.

Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Public Relations of the Command, lamented in a statement issued in Maiduguri: “Obviously, this sweeping statement is not only an attempt to propagate falsehood but a futile effort to disinform members of the public on the true security situation in the North-East from a perspective of one who is evidently detached from the realities of the counter terrorism cum counter insurgency operations in the North East.”

The Command also said: “It is very crucial to set the record straight by making it crystal clear that contrary to his opinions, the Boko Haram Terrorists group does not hold or control any Local Government Area in Borno State or in the North-East as claimed in the interview.

“These Local Government Areas have been liberated by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and the troops have continued to ensure security in these areas after routing out the insurgents. As a matter of fact, locals have been encouraged to return to their communities to resume their vocations and normal life.

“It may perhaps be needful to refresh memories by recalling that prior to the inauguration of Operations Lafiya Dole, the entire North-East was infested with Boko Haram terrorists, who became emboldened to the extent of declaring a caliphate with headquarters in Gwoza town. All that became history as the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole came into the theatre, gradually but steadily decimating the insurgents and liberating held territories in a series of well-planned and coordinated joint ground and air operations.

“One of such major operations was the Operation Rescue Finale, which routed the insurgents out of its tactical headquarters in Camp Zeiro in Sambisa forest and out of its so called spiritual headquarters in Alargarno. Ever since, Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to relentlessly conduct several other operations such as Operation Deep Punch, Chikin Gudu Operation and Operation Rawan Kada alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force.

“These and many other operations have culminated in the degradation and incapacitation of the insurgent group. Apparently, this is the reason the terrorist group is striving to remain relevant by resorting to callously use women and children to carry out suicide bomb attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

“Currently, Operation Lafiya Dole in its resoluteness is carrying out precursor operations that will lead to a final assault to decisively and finally put an end to the insurgency in the North-East.

“Talking about logistical supplies, Operation Lafiya Dole regularly provides logistical support and replenishment to own troops deployed in all locations and Forward Operational Bases through the normal channels, using our main supply routes.”

The Command also disclosed that Theatre and formation Commanders routinely conduct working visits to troops in their formations and units within the theatre of operation. “Hence, the question of troops being inaccessible as portrayed in the said article is an irredeemable fallacy. Perhaps it is necessary to note that considering the vastness of the North-East, Operation Lafiya Dole, aside holding tactical defensive positions to block the insurgents from access to logistics, has also gone ahead to insert Mobile Strike Teams in the theatre of operations to effectively patrol localities as well as seek out and neutralise the insurgents from their hideouts. Suffice to mention that in the month of August alone, a total of 82 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in combat and 630 remote settlements cleared by own troops.

“Our troops are tirelessly on the trail of the fleeing insurgents as devastating coordinated aerial and artillery bombardments are being unleashed on the terrorist group.

“Our troops are therefore not waiting only to repel BHT attacks as erroneously painted in the article, but are rather tactically deployed to deny the adversary freedom of action and access to logistics.

“Needless to add, that a group of insurgents on the run cannot hold or control any territory. Boko Haram lacks the capability to hold any territory in the North-East, hence its mindless attack on innocent and vulnerable civilians with suicide bombings, most of which were made unsuccessful by our vigilant troops.

“While not attempting to dismiss the fact that as the fleeing insurgents rummage for logistical replenishment, they occasionally mix up with unsuspecting locals and thereafter attack them.

“This definitely cannot be described as holding territory rather, it only simply underscores the need for other relevant agencies to do more to ensure progressive reintegration of the locals into their various communities.

“Without sounding immodest, it is worthy of note that the counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of Operation Lafiya Dole in the north east, has been commended within Nigeria and in the international community, resulting in several high level official visits to the north east by national and international bodies.

While assuring that our focus in Operation Lafiya Dole remains clear and will not be derailed, the general public is urged not be misguided by the insinuations and disinformation contained in the said article as they are devoid of the true and realistic impressions of the security situation in the North East.”

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