Army chief charges troops to go after Boko Haram insurgents, others

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, on Wednesday ordered troop commanders to attack identified hideouts of Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements in the Northern part of the country.

Yahaya, who gave directive during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2021 in Abuja, told the commanders to be proactive in their operations.

He vowed that the insurgents and other criminals terrorizing innocent citizens in the country would be treated in the “language they understand.”

The army chief said: “In the past three days, we have generated new strategies that we believe could enhance stability in areas currently witnessing insecurity in the country and the Nigerian Army will end the year 2021 on a high and successful note.

“Henceforth, commanders must be proactive in the conduct of their operations. You must take the fight into the identified and known enclaves of terrorists and criminals to neutralise them.

In the conduct of our operations, commanders must ensure that their troops maintain a state of constant alertness and vigilance at all times to avoid any surprise attack by the adversary.

“Lackadaisical attitudes on the part of commanders would not be tolerated. The Nigerian Army, within the ambit of rule of law, will talk to the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other perpetrators of violence in the language they understand.

“I advise those fuelling the crises being witnessed across the country to desist from their unpatriotic acts as we remain committed to ensuring peace returns to every part of the country in no distant time.”

Troops foil bandits’ attack in Kaduna

The government of Kaduna State has disclosed that troops of Operation Safe Haven have foiled an attack on Gidan Zaki town in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement on Sunday in Kaduna, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said some bandits planned the attack, but were repelled by the prompt action of the troops who were stationed in the Southern Kaduna area.

According to him, the bandits invaded farmlands in the village, and destroyed crops, using cutlasses.

The bandits went on to vandalise the home of a resident of the village. They also damaged a nearby vehicle, before storming a telephone charging shop belonging to another person, carting away telephones and chargers,” he said.

One resident of the village was injured by a bullet during sporadic shooting by the bandits. She was evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment”, he added.

The Commissioner said the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai received the reports with sadness while thanking the troops for their prompt response which halted the attack and prevented its escalation.

Aruwan said investigations into the incident were ongoing to unravel those behind the attack.

Also, the Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident, saying it happened at about 3 am on Sunday.

Nigerian Army dismisses reports on troops’ alleged desertion of Borno towns after Boko Haram attack

The Nigerian Army on Thursday dismissed reports on the alleged disappearance of 100 Nigerian troops from Marte and Dikwa after the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the towns.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the reports as false, unfounded, and designed to malign the image and character of the force.

He said the Nigerian Army discovered that a good number of the affected soldiers had rejoined their respective units and are currently part of the ongoing clearance operations in the North-East.

The statement read: “Members of the general public are advised to disregard the story as the subversive intent of the promoters are targeted at dampening the morale and fighting efficiency of our troops. We continually solicit especially the much-needed public support in the fight against Boko Haram.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the general public that troops are in high spirit and currently clearing areas infiltrated by Boko Haram terrorists/ISWAP.

“It is on record that the troops fought to defend the Internally Displaced Persons Camp and United Nations Humanitarian Hub in Dikwa. It is pertinent to also note that normalcy has returned to Dikwa and its environs.”

Troops rescue two abducted women in Kaduna

Troops of the Operation Thunder Strike on Friday rescued two women abducted in Gadanin Gwari village in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said the women were abducted by bandits while they were on their way to the farm.

He added that the troops engaged the bandits in a gun duel and forced them to abandon the victims.

He added that operatives attached to the Kaduna State Police Command rescued two persons abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kajuru local government area of the state.

Aruwan said: “According to the operational feedback to the Kaduna State government, the women were suddenly abducted as they made their way to their farm. The troops on patrol tracked down the criminals and engaged them in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their captives and run for their lives.

“After securing the women, the troops pursued the bandits, destroying many bandit camps along the way. The bandits were eventually trapped in Gajina settlement also in Chikun LGA.

“Three of the kidnappers were apprehended and are now in custody, while the rescued women have returned to their homes.

“Furthermore, the troops of Operation Thunder Strike and the newly inducted troops of the Nigerian Army Women Corps have continued aggressive patrols along the Kaduna-Abuja highway. The patrol was hitch-free, with no incidents recorded as of yesterday (Friday).”

Troops repel insurgents, rescue victims from abduction

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Lafiya Dole On Wednesday repelled the Bokoharam and Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in Borno State.

It was gathered that the terrorists had attacked commuters with about seven gun trucks around the Ari Gamboru and Gasarwa axis along Monguno.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity told newsmen that soldiers appeared at the scene following credible information they got about the attack.

The source said: “Apart from killing some of the terrorists, the troops captured five gun trucks and sophisticated weapons. Other fighters escaped in their two remaining vehicles.

“Some travellers including women and children who were at the verge of being abducted were rescued by the troops”.