Boko Haram Suffers Heavy Casualty As War On Terror Continues

Hundreds of people suspected to be terrorists in some camps in Sambisa Game Reserve, the stronghold of Boko Haram, have been killed in the ongoing onslaught against the sect by the Nigerian security forces in Borno.

The raid was carried out by the Nigerian forces with the use of jets and attack helicopters on Friday, said a security source who spoke with our correspondent on Friday. He added that the camps attacked is believed to be harbouring terrorists and are used for most of their trainings and enrolment exercises.

“I cannot tell you the actual number of terrorists killed, but I am optimistic we are making headway, and at the end of the operation, we will be commended, “ the source stated.

The killing of some of the suspected terrorists was confirmed by the spokesman of the Nigerian military, Brig Gen Chris Olukolade, in a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Reuters. The Army spokesman, who said only 30 suspected terrorists were killed, gave an indication that the casualty figure could be more.

According to him, “We have not done the mopping up operations on the ground to determine the numbers killed.” Olukolade added that it was not just Sambisa alone that was under attack but every other camp. He pointed out too that the air strike had been on since Wednesday.

A top security source also disclosed that one of the jets used by the Nigerian forces was shot by the terrorists’ sect during the raid in Sambisa, but it was manoeuvred and landed safely in the base.

Olukolade who also confirmed the report said the “terrorist base” was subsequently “completely destroyed”. In the town of Gamboru Ngala and Marte on the border with Cameroon in northern Borno, residents said that heavily armed troops and tanks arrived on Wednesday, sealing off previously unmanned border posts.

Although, some sources said, many innocent lives, particularly those who reside in the remote areas along the Sambisa area will equally fall victims, as they are not aware of the operation.

Our correspondent reports that Borno and Yobe and its environs have now entered its second day of total GSM network blackout to enable the task force discharge their mission without hitches. In Borno, the spokesman of the JTF, Leuitenant Colonel Sagir Musa, could however not be reached for confirmation, as a result of disruption in mobile phone services.

The present onlsaught follows the declaration of a state of emergency in three North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Thousands of military personnel have been deployed to the area to carry end the activities of Boko Haram which had led to gross loss of lives and properties. Following the depolyment of troops to the states, attacks had been carried out in some areas along border lines, believed to be camps of the terrorists group.

Mobile telephone services had be disrupted in the states while curfew has been declared in Adamawa State. Mlore troops are reported to be moving into Borno on Friday.