According to the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, troops have eliminated 1,015 Boko Haram insurgents since April 4.
During an Eid-El-Fitr luncheon at the Military Control and Command Centre in Maiduguri, the COAS revealed this information while hosting troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Buratai also shared the success of artillery airstrikes and blockage operations conducted by troops at the Tumbuktu Triangles around Sambisa. He disclosed notable encounters at places such as Buni Gari, Gaidam, Minok, Dapchi, Baga, Dikwa, Awulari, Ajiri, Pulka, Ngoshe, Alafa, and different parts of Sambisa Forest as well as Gajiganna.
Additionally, he mentioned the arrest of 84 high-ranking members of Boko Haram logistics and informants during this period.
Buratai expressed, “Hundreds of terrorist fighters have been neutralized in these different camps as confirmed by the force and captured terrorists while trying to escape the operations. Many more have been injured and are hiding in the forest with serious wounds. This explains why the terrorists have resorted to desperate attacks on towns and villages such as Babangida, Dapchi searching for medical supplies and other logistics to treat their injured colleagues, who are dying like foul in the forest.”
Since arriving in the Northeast on April 4, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have neutralized over 1,015 Boko Haram terrorists. They have also impressively maintained the blockage of Boko Haram logistics supply chains and freedom of movement within the Tumbuktu Triangles. The Nigerian army intelligence core has also greatly improved its operations. It is gratifying to note the disruption of the terrorists’ moves by the officers and men of the Nigerian Army, fighting in close support with the combatant personnel of the Nigeria Navy Special Force Services and the gallant pilots of the Nigerian Airforce, who have consistently disrupted the terrorists’ moves and done well in neutralizing them,” he added.
Buratai expressed gratitude to sister organizations such as the Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, and the police for their support in the fight against insurgency. He also offered prayers for the late soldiers and those who have sustained injuries during the fight against insurgency.