Military kills five Boko Haram commanders in joint operations

The Nigerian Army said it has killed a number of top Boko Haram commanders during heavy bombardments of their hideouts in Sambisa forest, Borno State, within a week.

The forest covers 60, 000 square kilometres, comprising six council areas of Borno and parts of Yobe and Adamawa states in the Northeast.The Army said it recorded a number of breakthroughs with the bombardments through information it obtained about the location of the suspected leaders.

A statement signed by Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, in Abuja said the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force in joint efforts have been carrying out heavy artillery bombardments and air interdictions on registered targets that have killed a large number of Boko Haram terrorists including some of the group’s key leaders.

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army artillery using Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers has lobbed many rockets over the suspected location the terrorists’ leaders are hiding. “Video clips obtained on battle damage assessment, shows clear success of the exercise. More details of successes achieved will be made available as the operation continues.

“The key Boko Haram terrorists neutralised within the week during the joint artillery and Nigerian Air Force air and Armed Special Forces Mobile Strike bombardments include: Abu Dujana, Man Tahiru (Deputy to Boko Haram terrorists group Hisba leader), Man Chari, Malam Abdullahi Abu Sa’ad and Goni Bamanga.‘’

He said while Tahiru, is number 166 on the military’s wanted list of Boko Haram commanders and terrorists, Chari is on number 28.“The Nigerian military would continue with the concerted onslaught on the reported Boko Haram terrorists’ location till they have been eliminated,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has pledged to assist the Federal Government overcome the challenges of internal security threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

It equally lauded the government for its continuous contributions to peacekeeping operations across the globe despite its internal security challenges, adding that Nigeria’s efforts in ensuring peace in other countries cannot go unnoticed.

British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, stated this at the inauguration of the Abuja Memorial erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The event was in honour of over 2000 fallen heroes from Nigeria who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, the representatives of the Service Chiefs and others.

He said: “In the struggle against tyranny in the 20th century, British did not fight alone and therefore we will never forget the contributions of millions of people across the world who fought in defence of liberty and lost their lives in the process.

“We remember the immense contributions of Nigerian armed forces to peace keeping operations around the world despite the security threats here at home, it is commendable that Nigeria continue with its obligations on peace keeping operations.’’