Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, said that troops in the counter-insurgency battle will not slow down heat on Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), despite recent decrease in their terror activities.
Gen. Musa gave the assurance while reviewing the activities of the terror groups and giving updates on the troops’ operations in the last six weeks at a press briefing in Maiduguri, Borno State at the weekend.
“We remain resolute in our operations. Usually during rainy season, terrorists’ activities are always at lower ebb, but we will keep the tempo and not slow down heat on Boko Haram or ISWAP,” he assured.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs have been giving required and leadership support to ensure the Northeast is cleared of terrorists.
The commander said that the supports have led to some successes recorded in some operation between early September and mid-October 8.
Theatre Intelligence Coordinator, Col. Obinna Azuikpe, while giving an update on various clearance operations, picketing and air interdiction, said that the troops engaged the terrorists around the Mandara axis, Southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital; Sambisa, Boko Haram major operational base, and Bama in the central part of the state.
The intelligence commander said that at least 29 terrorists were neutralized in the six weeks operations, including the ones along the Lake Chad Tumbus, Gashua and Nguru in Yobe State, among others.
Sadly, nine military troops were said to have paid the supreme price during this period.
Insurgency and terror activities have claimed over 100,000 people and displaced three million others since July 2009, according to the Borno State government’s tally.
