OUR WAR AGAINST TERROR TAKES OFF IN EARNEST : Special Forces kill 14 more Boko Haram insurgents

The battle to flush out Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states continued yesterday, with the Presidency vowing to prosecute it “with all powers and might” at its disposal.

The Army also said that its offensive will continue “as long as it takes”.

Defence Headquarters spokesman Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said 14 insurgents were killed and 20 more arrested yesterday.

The Army lost three soldiers. One soldier is missing. Seven are injured.

Forty five members of the sect have so far been killed by the Special Forces.

On Friday, the Army said 21 were killed. Ten of the sect’s camps were recovered.

On Saturday, 10 more sect members were killed; 65 were arrested.

The fear that the offensive may have rendered the already slim chance of a political solution to the conflict even slimmer was allayed.

“Mr president has urged Boko Haram members to surrender their arms and embrace the amnesty option which is still open, as the committee is working on the option of dialogue for a peaceful resolution,” presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said on telephone.

Over 2000 Nigerians are alleged to have fled Borno State to Niger Republic following the bombardments.

In a statement yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said: “The Special Forces troops have continued the advance and attack on identified terrorist camps in the Northern part of the country.

“Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration while curfews on identified flash points are being enforced.

“Dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various border.

“Their bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics, including scores of vehicles in their holdings.

“In the course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters have ensured since yesterday (Saturday).

“After a mop-up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorists were confirmed dead while seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered.

“A total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled.

“Altogether, three soldiers died while seven are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility. One soldier is missing.

“Meanwhile, the required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.

“Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far.

“The forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of harm’s way as much as possible.”

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the death toll was collated from operations conducted by the Special Forces in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

A source said: “The figures came from the skirmishes in some flash points where we have emergency.

“As I am talking to you, we are pursuing these terrorists to all our borders where they have fled to. There is no hiding place for them.”

On fears that the insurgents had fled to neighbouring states, such as Gombe, Bauchi and Kano, the source added: “Before we began our operations, we had put spillover into consideration; we had factored this dimension into our plans. All military formations and security agencies are on the alert nationwide. You cannot expect us to concentrate on the three states.

“So far, the insurgents were not running into these neighbouring states. Intelligence reports confirmed that they had been fleeing to borders.”

Soldiers have blocked roads out of Maiduguri to deprive Boko Haram fighters of supplies in remote towns they control, the army has said.

The military said its offensive is aimed at re-establishing Nigeria’s “territorial integrity”.

Residents said the terrorists’ base had been blockaded.

“There is a huge build-up of trucks loaded with essential commodities… along the Baga road on the way out of Maiduguri to the northern part of the state,” said Ibrahim Yahaya.

“The drivers said they have been prevented by the military from going northward,” he told the AFP by email.

The telephone network in Borno has all but collapsed since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on three states last Tuesday.

Brig-Gen Olukolade said the army would continue its operation “as long as it takes to achieve our objective of getting rid of insurgents from every part of Nigeria”.

He told the BBC World Service Newshour that the offensive “knows the targets it is after, and it took a long time to plan and prepare for this”.

“It is their (insurgent) bases, their weaponry, their logistics that we are going to deal with in this operation,” he added.

The President said yesterday that the offensive against Boko Haram has started yielding positive results.

“The President has promised that at all times, the Federal Government will not relent or spare any effort that will guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians, and that all manner of criminality in our country would be fought uncompromisingly with all the powers and might available to the Federal Government,” a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications, Dr. Doyin Okupe, yesterday said.

The statement added: “President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for the overwhelming support they have given to the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The President also thanked the leadership of the National Assembly and many of its members, who have through calls and personal visitations, given solidarity and support for this extraordinary step taken by the President in order to halt the mindless killings, bombings and general insecurity that had prevailed in that part of the country.

“The President also notes with gratification the positive disposition and understanding of the Governors of the federation, especially the Northern Governors Forum, leaders and elders in the North, traditional rulers, religious leaders, cultural and political groups nationwide including opposition political parties, civil society organisations and the Media.”

Okupe said the President is appreciative of the efforts, loyalty, commitment and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who have demonstrated commendable patriotism and gallantry in compliance with the order of the commander-in-chief.

“Mr. President also appreciates the encouragement by members of the diplomatic corps and international community and promises that as a disciplined force, members of the Armed Forces will operate according to acceptable international rules of engagement and will pay particular attention to the safety and well-being of the citizens of the affected states during this period of emergency rule.

“Mr. President also notes that the efforts of the Armed Forces have already started yielding positive results, as available information confirms that the insurgents have been dislodged from their previously safe havens and camps while many have been apprehended, and their activities in the affected states have been brought to a total halt.”

“The statement also states that President Jonathan has called on Nigerians from all walks of life, ethnic origins and religious affiliations, to rally round the Federal Government in this period of national travail in order that collectively, we will achieve success in this major fight against terror in our land, and return peace and stability to our nation with its attendant prosperity, growth and development in the affected region.