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.”
