Military Silent on Captured Local Govts in Yobe, Borno

Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade,

• Repels Boko Haram Attack in Dikwa

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The military has surprisingly kept mute about claims that the Boko Haram terror group had gained new territory by capturing five local government areas in the two North-eastern states of Borno and Yobe.

Efforts made by THISDAY to get official reaction to the situation on ground proved abortive as text messages and calls to the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman and as well as the Spokesman of 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Col. Tukur Gusau, were not replied.

On the failure of the spokesmen to respond, one source expressed sympathy for the spokesmen, and cited fear of "political backlash".
He added: "You know how these politicians behave. Joining issues with them is not the best idea. Those statements were made by the respective governors to attract more funding."

However, military sources who spoke to THISDAY yesterday dismissed the claims that were made during the National Economic Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday as “alarmist and a political gimmick for patronage".

They noted that politicians were trying to mislead members of the public by falsely claiming that five LGAs are under the control of the terrorists.

One of the senior officers clarified that the prevailing situation on ground, saying, “in some towns, Boko Haram have some presence and launch guerrilla attacks from time to time, which is different from holding a town.”

He added: “I don't know where they get such LGAs from. I mean they should have named the local governments and let us verify, if they are sure of their claims. That Boko Haram makes a hit and run attacks in one or two towns does not in any way translate to holding any ground.

"You should know that there are liberated towns like Buni Yadi that is still deserted till today and not that Boko Haram is holding any ground. Because people are still afraid and yet to return may be interpreted that Boko Haram is there."

It will be recalled that NEC warned that Boko Haram terrorists were waxing stronger in the North-east, adding that the terror group had captured five local government areas in Yobe and Borno States.

Briefing State House correspondents after its meeting on Thursday in Abuja, the council said the occupation of the five local government councils was confirmed by the governors of Yobe and Borno states, Ibrahim Gaidam and Kashim Shettima respectively.

They also informed the NEC that the terrorists were still hiding in Sambisa forest and called for increased military deployment and provision of sophisticated military equipment in those areas.

Military Repels Attack in Dikwa…
The military with combination of aerial bombardment and ground assault successfully repelled a daring Boko Haram terrorists attack in Dikwa town early yesterday.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Commodore Dele Alonge confirmed this development to THISDAY yesterday.

Alonge in confirmation of earlier release by PRNigeria, said that the concerted efforts of the NAF and the Nigerian Army helped to repel the terrorists from  Dikwa town in Borno State.

He said that a combination of the Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet and surveillance aircraft jointly destroyed three ambush points heavily fortified with vehicle-mounted Anti-Aircraft Guns.

Cordon and search operations are currently on-going in the town by the Nigerian Army.
In a related development, the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sadique Baba Abubakar has concluded his tour of operational units to ascertain the state of equipment and morale, especially those involved in the counter-insurgency operation against Boko Haram.

Abubakar disclosed that the purpose of his visit was to obtain first-hand information about the operational readiness of the men and equipment with a view to enabling the NAF to re-equip and restrategise for operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Units visited by the CAS include 64 Air Defence Group, Makurdi; 75 Strike Group, Yola; 97 Special Operational Group, Port-Harcourt and 99 Air Combat Training Group, Kainji.