The acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 of the Nigeria Army, Brig. General Abubakar Haruna, has paid a morale boosting visit to the troops fighting Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest, hailing them for killing 21 Boko Haram terrorists, destroying their camps and rescuing no fewer than 386 victims.
Gen Haruna, stated this while addressing the troops in the outskirts of Sambisa forest in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State after welcoming the troops for conducting a 10-day operation.
Haruna said that the operation tagged “Operation Desert Sanity III was to clear Sambisa forest of the remnants of all categories of terrorists as well as provide some of them eager to surrender as observed the opportunity to do so.
“I want to commend you for your exceptional performance and professionalism exhibited during the operation and I urge you to sustain the tempo. Our Special Forces troops, the troops of 21 armored Brigade, the Civilian JTF and the Hybrid Forces have all done very well.
“The Chief of Army Staff is highly pleased with your performance. Gentlemen, you have done your beat. You have sacrificed yourselves to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the North East. This is a wonderful outing and we are very happy.
“We have to stop whatever we are doing and come here to let you know that we are with you always. To know what you people are doing so that we can have a feeling of what you people are going through.”
He urged them to do more to hasten the defeat of insurgency. My call on the officers and soldiers to remained committed noting that surely the end result will be a resounding success for all of us.
“Our effort is to ensure that we clear remnants of terrorists in the Sambisa and give those willing to surrender the opportunity to surrender. With this operation, we envisage many of them will surrender as they have started.
According to a top source and security analyst in Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, troops have reportedly successfully cleared several Boko Haram enclaves ranging from Lawanti, Ukuba, Farisu, Sabil Huda, Njimia, Garin Gulukos, Garin Falluja, Shababul Ummah, Garin Pannel bitter and Lagara Anguwan Gwai Gwai among others.
The troops killed scores of the terrorists including their commanders and made recoveries of different types of arms, equipment and armored vehicles.
“We also rescued some civilians; as of yesterday, we rescued 386 and I am sure the number will increase by today,” Haruna said.
Some of those rescued who spoke, said they have been in captivity for the past 10 years and will be provided with medical support and rehabilitation.
“We therefore thank the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja for giving us all the support which translated to this achievement and the Theatre Commander Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai Joint Task Force, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, for his strategic guidance and supervision.
Zagazola understands that the presence the GOC accompanied by his Principal Staff Officers of the Division in the frontline symbolizes a courageous leadership which has immensely boosted the morale of the fighting troops.