IN a move
aimed at tackling insurgents in the country at all fronts, the Nigerian Army,
on Thursday, was reported to have bombed some insurgents’ camps located in some
parts of Bauchi State.
There have been an upsurge in the activities of unknown gunmen
believed in some quarters to be insurgents in the state in recent times, with
series of kidnappings, particularly in the Darazo axis of the state.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable
Samaila Ahmed, was kidnapped in his resident in Darazo, the headquarters of
Darazo Local Government area of the state, while three polio workers were also
kidnapped in the area.
The recent activities of gunmen in the state culminated in the
burning down of some buildings at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Yana, the
headquarters of Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State, in which a
five-year-old girl was burnt to death about a month ago.
Only Wednesday last week, some gunmen went on the rampage,
burning down two primary schools in Darazo Local Government Area of the state,
Shadarki Primary School and Yelwan Darazo Primary School respectively and an
MTN telecommunications mast, though no life was lost in the attack.
It was learnt that a sizeable number of gunmen suspected to be
members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had been operating in the Balmo forests
in Darazo, Burra in Ningi Local Government Area, Soro in Ganjuwa Local
Government Area and Yuga forests between Zara-Miya, while another camp was
believed to exist around the Bauchi –Gombe border in Alkaleri.
It was gathered from locals in the areas and security sources
that the army invaded the camps and bombed them, with a view to dislodging
insurgents camped there.
It was further learnt from the locals that as early as 6.00
a.m., they started hearing loud sounds of explosives from the direction of the
forest, where the insurgents camps were reportedly located.
They further informed that shortly after the sound of the
explosions went down, they saw a military aircraft with Nigerian flag hovering
over the areas.
A reliable security source in the state confirmed that the army
had started operation in the forest, but did not give details, adding, however,
that the exercise was carried out without creating panic among the inhabitants
of the areas.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, it was gathered
that after bombing the camps, the military was carrying out mop up operation of
the areas.
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