Over 40 people suspected to be members
of the Boko Haram sect have been killed between Saturday and yesterday,
when operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) cordoned-off Bulabulin
and Ngarnam wards as well as Bayan Quarters - three areas believed to be
sanctuaries of the insurgents in Maiduguri, witnesses and hospital
sources said.
However, JTF spokesman, Lt Col Sagir
Musa, who confirmed that security forces have taken over the areas, said
operation is ongoing but did not give the actual number of people
killed.
The spokesman, however advised that
residents passing through the areas should find alternative routes,
pending when normalcy returned to the area.
Our correspondent reports that for
over a year, most residents of Bulabulin, Ngarnam and parts of Bayan
Tasha (railway, close to the house of Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf)
have fled their homes, a development which security sources said
provided a fertile ground for insurgents to stay their.
Sagir said the ongoing operation was meant to reclaim the settlements for the rightful owners.
According to him, “in an effort to
wipe out Boko Haram terrorists from deserted Bulabulin, Bayan Quarters
and Ngarnam, the JTF has taken over the areas with deployment of
personnel and equipment.
“Recall that the inhabitants of the
areas were chased out of their houses by Boko Haram terrorists and
converted most of the houses to hideouts or enclaves.
“The latest efforts of the task force
led to the dislodgment of the insurgents and the recovery of arms,
ammunitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and some terrorists
died during an exchange of fire with the JTF troops,” Sagir said.
He stated that on Saturday alone,
troops recovered 6 RPG bombs, one sub-machine gun, 4 AK47 rifles, 4 RPG
launchers, 7 empty magazines, three army camouflage uniforms and 2
tricycles in some hideouts in Bulabulin.
“Therefore, in furtherance of the
operation, the JTF wishes to alert and warn members of the public
particularly those farming or passing through the above mentioned areas
to keep away as operation is ongoing,” the JTF spokesman said.
Sources at the State Specialist
Hospital said over 25 corpses were deposited there between Saturday and
yesterday while some people who live around Galadima Junction and
Hausari said there are about 10 corpses at Bulabulin and Ngarnam that
are yet to be taken away.
A resident said JTF troops used
Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to subdue the insurgents and
thereafter destroyed many houses to pave way for searching the areas.
In another development, the JTF had
commended what it described as “the patriotic efforts of citizens and
residents of Borno State particularly the youth vigilante groups” that
were determined to assisting security agencies to defeat Boko Haram
terrorists in the state,
Lt Col Sagir, who interacted with some
youth leaders in Gwange and Hausari areas of Maiduguri yesterday, urged
the youths to conduct themselves within the ambits of the law so that
their efforts will be fully appreciated by members of the public.
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