“This distressing situation
notwithstanding, it must be pointed out that the
current activities of the terrorist groups is actually
at best a reaction to the renewed offensive against
the terror outfit whose operatives had infiltrated the
country to support their hitherto depleted
membership and counterparts in their daring acts to
reinvent relevance by embarking on renewed attacks
on soft targets.”
The spokesman explained that it had become
important to keep the citizens abreast of the
military’s counter terrorism campaign in the country.
“The new approach marks another phase in the
operations designed to further contain the terrorists
and their activities. The specialized campaign which
has commenced is being undertaken simultaneously
in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States. This operation
is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the
terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of
Nigeria as they are now so desperate to do.
“Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of
their flight towards various borders, continued to
perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of
Adamawa state yesterday night where they attacked
communities. In desperation for money and food,
they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling
stations along their way through Michika as they
headed for Cameroon border. Six of their fighters
were killed two captured while nine of their vehicles
were destroyed; one soldier and three civilians also
died in the encounter.
“It is believed that those involved in this latest
attacks are the elements that perpetrated the
mayhem against students of Federal Government
College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and other places.
They have been holed up and are still engaged in
suicidal fighting apparently with a view to attaining
martyrdom status, as troops close in on the die-
hard ones among them.
Olukolade appealed to residents in affected States,
particularly towards the border areas, to assist the
security forces by reporting any movement of the
group if noticed in their locality. “All things being
equal, the activities of this murderous group will be
further degraded towards total elimination shortly.”
The statement enjoined citizens to show
understanding of the situation and continue to
cooperate with the security forces, especially with
vital and timely information on the movements of
terrorists to enable quick response accordingly.Hours after our exclusive report that some Boko
Haram militants that attacked the Federal
Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe state were
fished out and “exterminated” , Nigeria’s defence
headquarters yesterday at a press briefing on the
security situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa,
confirmed that it recently killed fleeing terrorists.
A close source within the security circles Thursday
afternoon told DailyPost that it was “discovered that
some locals collaborated with the militants. After the
attack, they entered the community and ‘blended’
with the villagers.
“But the soldiers were able to fish out dozens of the
extremists. Immediate extermination was carried
out, but you don’t expect the military to come out
and announce such.
“By convention, the military cannot admit ‘merciless
retaliation’ as it is called,” our source added.
On allegations that the soldiers may have
deliberately move away from the community, the
source advised those making the claims to get their
facts right to avoid heightening an already tensed
situation.
In a statement yesterday evening, the DHQ said it
acknowledges with grave concern the recent
mindless killing of innocent school children and
other citizens in towns and villages following
terrorist activities in some parts of the North East.
It said the dastardly act has expectedly attracted
the reaction of well-meaning individuals who have
been condemning the senseless bloodletting.
The statement signed by Chris Olukolade, stated
that disturbing as the trend proves, the fact remains
that the chilly episodes are simply typical of
terrorists intention to intimidate the people into
subscribing to their false claim to invincibility.
