Nigerian troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest, near Sambisa, the enclave of the Islamic militants group, in a military operation that lasted four nights and in which over 44 insurgents and six soldiers were killed while some foreign mercenaries and weapons were captured .
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Military, Major General Chris Olukolade, told our Correspondent in a telephone interview from Abuja, that the troops are now in Sambisa forest. He said, prior to the operation that led the troops into Sambisa forest, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa States with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks and as such has to first of all be taken care of.
“But as i talk to you now, we have been able to clear the major hurdles and now in the center of attraction. Sambisa forest is the center of attraction, as far as rescuing the abducted Chibok girls is concerned. It was not an easy journey, but I am glad to tell you that we are there in the popular but controversial Sambisa forest.”
The Defence Headquarters spokesperson said terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation. Among those captured were two foreigners who are suspected to be mercenaries. Also recovered were several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.
In a related development, over 44 terrorists have died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled their attack on the communities. Armed with IEDs and other high caliber weapons, a large number of terrorists had carried out a predawn attack on the communities but met with stiff resistance from the troops. During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunitions of various calibre.
“The Nigerian military is well trained for the kind of war that it is presently engaged. Even before the advent of terrorism, our training doctrine has factored in counter terrorism right from the beginning. It’s only that the intensity may differ but everybody has knowledge of counter terrorism operations. It’s just that it’s only now that we are practising it in reality”, he told our Correspondent.
Also concerning hardware and equipment, the defence spokesperson said Nigerians should “be sure that it is incremental but you would see them when they are in action”. He debunked allegations of corruption and human rights abuses against the military, saying claims were capable of demoralising those engaged in securing the territorial integrity of the nation.
“Those series of allegations of corruption are unfounded, the series of allegations of cowardice are rather demoralising and other forms of insinuations in various forms only tend to give the impression the Nigerian armed forces is not capable of managing the situation.
“Unfortunately, this has remained the source for the international community that held us in very high esteem to begin to have a rethink. But the Nigerian armed forces has not been sleeping, we have been available in putting our expertise at the service of other nations. We have more of this in which we can put into the disposal of our country at a time like this and all we would need are encouragement of our fellow countrymen and their understanding.
“We can only assure them that we mean well. The officers that are put in charge of these men are trained to be leaders. We should let them do the job in times like this. The integrity of everybody is at stake, and the time has come when we should rather reduce the level of accusations that are meant to demoralise and discourage.”
Olukolade said the goal of the Nigerian military and security forces at the moment “is to deny the terrorists the resources they need to continue to hold our citizens to ransom. We want to defeat them so decisively that every Nigerian can live in peace and be able to pursue his economic and social activities.
“We want to engage them in counter terrorism to the point that their coordination and their ability to succeed in their future effort to destabilize and cause instability in our country will be negligible or non-existent. We also want to ensure that the military will continue to contribute to the development and progress of our country’s democratic state.”
He warned Nigerians and the media not to fall for the propaganda of the enemy concerning the exploits of Boko Haram saying that many attacks being staged by the group in recent times were only a sign of their desperation in the face of losing operating spaces.
“The truth about recent attacks by Boko Haram is that all the places that they thought were their bases have been taken over by the military and so out of desperation, they are scattering everywhere. What they are doing is like a last battle for them.
“There had been occasions when the terrorists were reported to be using helicopters in their attacks whereas it was the Nigerian military helicopter that was flying to attack the rebels.
“Nonetheless, we are still committed to securing the civilian population at whatever cost. We are still committed in ensuring that we degrade their ability to continue their activity and eventually eliminate them,” he declared.
While declining to give details, Mr. Olukolade said the abducted Chibok Girls would be rescued and that it was not true that after securing Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram militants re-took it from the military.
He said “the Sambisa issue is strategic. We are not clearly out of Sambisa as I am talking to you. We are in Sambisa and we are in places contiguous to it.
“Sambisa Forest is over 6,000 square kilometres. It is not true that the place was re-taken by Boko Haram. There is freedom of movement in Nigeria and so, people move about freely. Do you know that there are village settlements and communities in the Sambisa Forest and that is another limitation to bombing?”
Mr. Olukolade continued, “No portion of this country is available for terrorists to occupy. If they appear to be doing so, it is just a joke. With respect to this location, everything is being done to ensure that everywhere in Nigeria is safe and secure. “
Concerning the recent report by Amnesty International indicting the military of violating human rights of citizens in the North East, he said, “Our team of investigators are already going round, calling people to assist them. They have invited officials of AI to help them verify what they presented in the report. I know that they are working frantically to produce their report and they are not leaving anything untouched but we hope that those who made those allegations equally have the level of respect for that body to tell our investigators what they know.”
