Boko Haram: Air and Land Operations Continue in Borno Amidst Encounters

 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed first details of retaliation operations against Boko Haram in Borno State, which have been accomplished over the weekend.

According to their official Facebook page, the air operations to clear terrorist bases sited in Daggu and Yazza areas of Borno State brought good results.

The operation by ground forces has started after the air assault, resulted in the death of several terrorists located in the bases. However, the exact figure of liquidated Boko Haram fighters has not been mentioned at the time of filing the present report. Continue...

It would be noted that civilians had earlier been evacuated from the vicinity of the identified terrorist enclaves in line with operation orders before the air and land assaults. 

The DHQ reports that on March 2, 2014, Sunday, troops were also in pursuit of those who carried out attack on the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, had fierce encounter with the terrorists around Mainok and other locations between Apa and Abulum in Borno State. 

Both soldiers of Nigerian Army and the terrorists died in the encounters. Once again, the numbers were not specified.

The DHQ has also confirmed the arrest of suspects, who are believed to have been responsible for detonating the bombs which exploded at Bintu Sugar Ngamari area of Maiduguri on March 1, 2014, Saturday (in the photo above). The suspects are cooperating with the security officials, and may help in the ongoing investigation of the attack.

Finally, the DHQ dismissed as untrue the reports claiming that 20 civilians were mistakenly killed in the air operations in some parts of the mission area.

“Such reports are believed to be part of the design by those bent on discrediting the counter terrorists mission,” the statement said.

The DHQ confirmed once again that it would do its best to ensure safety of innocent Nigerians in the operational areas notwithstanding the fierceness of the encounters.