The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that it had captured Alagarno, the
`spiritual power base’ of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.
Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya
Dole who stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri. said; On 18
Mar 16 at about 0900 hrs troops of 3 and 7 Division commenced advance to
capture ALAGARNO with a preparatory air bombardment by NAF.
“Advance was halted severally due to planted IEDs along the routes
leading to ALAGARNO. During the operations, troops cleared YAJIWA, JOBA,
MOSA, ARIWUZUMARI, MISSENE SANSAN and KAGALMARI villages. Our gallant
troops finally entered ALAGARNO on 28 Mar 16 during which several BHTs
were killed along the route.
“This operation demystified the BHT spiritual power base in ALAGARNO.
Throughout the operation, the NAF monitored the operation, consistently
resupplied the advancing troops as well as assisted in evacuating
soldiers that were wounded in action.
He said that motorcycles which were inducted into the operation and
launched by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai on 27 Feb 16 at
DAMBOA have been very useful in areas of road piquetting and for patrols
among other tasks.
“Let me also state that troops in the Theatre have also been
conducting clearing operations on a daily basis in the Theatre of
Operation to destroy remnants of the terrorists still harbouring in some
Local Government Areas as well as rescue civilians held in captivity.
Clearing operations that troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have conducted
includes:
“Troops of 81 Task Force Battalion cleared and destroyed Boko Haram
Terrorists (BHT) camps at KOMALA, DOLE, KUMASI and MAUDORI villages
around the fringes of ALARGANO. Some insurgents were killed while 2 were
arrested. In addition, 2 BHT Toyota pick-up vehicles, 40 motorcycles
and fuel dumps were destroyed, he said.
Excerpt of the press statement below:
PRESS CONFERENCE ON OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE BY MAJOR GENERAL
LUCKY IRABOR, THEATRE COMMANDER, OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE ON 29TH MARCH
2016
1. Consistent with our promise to keep the public duly informed of
the progress in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, I wish to address you today, to
give an update of operations since our last formal meeting. You are
quite aware of the change of Command in the Theatre since 17 Mar 16. My
inability to address you since assuming Command is largely due to the
operations we have been conducting to which the outcome would be made
public in this briefing. The Nigerian troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in
a bid to bring the insurgency in the North East to an end have recorded
successes. Some of the major successes are:
a. Capture of KUMSHE. On 23 Feb 16 at about 0740 hrs, Own troops in
conjunction with Cameroonian forces commenced advance to clear and
capture KUMSHE. Twenty Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) were killed while
equipment captured include one gun truck mounted with Anti-Aircraft gun,
2 AK 47 rifles as well as 60 mm mortar. Three Cameroonian soldiers
sustained injuries while trying to deactivate Improvised Explosive
Devices (IED) buried along the way. It is worthy to note that the joint
force encountered about 10 IEDs during the operation. KUMSHE was
eventually captured with little resistance from the BHTs on 24 Feb 16.
b. Capture of KALA- BALGE. On 23 Mar 16 troops of 22 Brigade in
conjunction with elements of Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF)
Battalion and Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG) advanced to clear,
capture and hold Kala-Balge LGA and the general areas of the Local
Government. In the process, pockets of insurgents in Wumbi, Tunish and
Tilem villages were cleared.
The BHT training camp at Tilem was
destroyed. The terrorists suffered heavy causalities including the
destruction of 2 of their Toyota pick-up vehicles and 4 Canter trucks.
Troops recovered 4 AK 47 rifles and a Mortar tube. Our gallant troops
killed 15 insurgents, recovered other weapons and equipment and freed
567 civilians held hostage. The pictures of troops in KALA BALGE LGA are
as shown on the screen. Troops are currently conducting clearing
operations in the general area to destroy remnants of the terrorists
still operating in KALA- BALGE.
c. Offensive to Capture ALAGARNO. On 18 Mar 16 at about 0900 hrs
troops of 3 and 7 Division commenced advance to capture ALAGARNO with a
preparatory air bombardment by NAF. Advance was halted severally due to
planted IEDs along the routes leading to ALAGARNO. During the
operations, troops cleared YAJIWA, JOBA, MOSA, ARIWUZUMARI, MISSENE
SANSAN and KAGALMARI villages.
Our gallant troops finally entered
ALAGARNO on 28 Mar 16 during which several BHTs were killed along the
route. This operation demystified the BHT spiritual power base in
ALAGARNO. Throughout the operation, the NAF monitored the operation,
consistently resupplied the advancing troops as well as assisted in
evacuating soldiers that were wounded in action.
2. You will recall that motorcycles were inducted into the operation
and launched by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai on 27 Feb 16
at DAMBOA. The Motor Cycle Battalion has been very useful in areas of
road piquetting and for patrols among other tasks. Let me also state
that troops in the Theatre have also been conducting clearing operations
on a daily basis in the Theatre of Operation to destroy remnants of the
terrorists still harbouring in some Local Government Areas as well as
rescue civilians held in captivity. Clearing operations that troops of
Operation LAFIYA DOLE have conducted includes:
a. Troops of 81 Task Force Battalion cleared and destroyed Boko Haram
Terrorists (BHT) camps at KOMALA, DOLE, KUMASI and MAUDORI villages
around the fringes of ALARGANO. Some insurgents were killed while 2 were
arrested. In addition, 2 BHT Toyota pick-up vehicles, 40 motorcycles
and fuel dumps were destroyed.
b. In another development, troops of 25 Brigade cleared BHT camps at
Galmasku Muli, Chiralia, Maisani Talala, Ajigin Shetimalau 1 and 2 and
Dalomi. During the operation 250 hostages were rescued, 5 BHT trucks, 80
motorcycles and many bicycles were destroyed. Additionally, several
IED-making materials were recovered and destroyed.
c. In a similar development, troops of 7 Division comprising 112
Battalion, AHQ SG and Air Component conducted joint fighting patrol with
civilian JTF to Anadawa, Talbari, Choga, Dagumba, and Hagibiri Manawaji
in Mafa-konduga axis. On sighting own troops, the in insurgents fled.
Consequently, troops destroyed the BHT camps at Dagumba and also cleared
the Mafa-Konduga road.
d. Troops of 157 TF Bn in 8 TF Div Area of Responsibility conducted
ambush along BHT crossing points between Mile 90 and Yoyo. In the
process 3 motorcycles and several gallons of PMS were recovered.
Additionally, troops of Brigade Quick Response (QRG) Force of
Headquarters 7 Brigade MNJTF sprung a deliberate ambush 10km east of
Kekenoa on some BHT riding motorcycles. Two insurgents were killed while
2 AK 47 rifles, 2 magazines, 3 motorcycles, one hand grenade, and some
food items were recovered.
e. Troops of 25 TF Bde conducted offensive operations to clear BHTs
from their base at TALALA and AJIGIN. Troops cleared the insurgent camps
at GALMASKU MULI, CHIRALIA, DOKSA, GWOLGORE, MAISANI, TALALA, AJIGIN,
SHETIMALU 1&2 and DALOMI. Our gallant troops destroyed 15 pick -up
vehicles, 5 trucks and 80 motor cycles. Several IED making materials
were also recovered and destroyed.
f. Troops of 27 TF Bde conducted fighting patrol to suspected BHTs
hideout close to GAMSARI village in YUSUFANARI LGA in Yobe State. Troops
successfully cleared the terrorists from their hideout. Among the items
recovered was one Armoured Personnel Carrier captured from our troops
in 2015. Other items are one Isreali assault rifle, extra magazine, 70
rounds of 5.56mm (NATO) and one Motor Cycle.
3. The Theatre Command wishes to reassure the public of its untiring
resolve to safeguard lives and properties of Nigerians in the North
East. Regarding the online video clip purportedly released by the BHT
leader or his replica showing remorse and making a dying testimony, let
me unequivocally state that it does not have any influence on Operation
LAFIYA DOLE as our gallant troops are determined to completely wipe out
all terrorists in our great country Nigeria. It is imperative to add
that we shall not rest on our oars in implementing the directives of our
courageous leaders, C-in-C, CDS, the COAS Lt Gen TY Buratai, and other
Service Chiefs at ensuring that the BHTs are completely defeated and
their remnants cleared wherever they hibernate.
However, we are mindful
that most of the BHT are tired of their ignoble adventure. We are ready
to receive them whenever they so decide. Consequently, all would be
terrorists, suicide bombers and other BHTs are advised to do away with
their senseless venture and surrender to the security forces. For those
ready to surrender, they are hereby assured that they would be humanely
treated in line with international best practices and in accordance with
the International Humanitarian Law.
4. Let me once again commend the invaluable support and contributions
of all stake holders in this fight against insurgency in the North
East. I wish to assure you that the Nigerian Military is more than ever
determined to secure our great country. To the members of the public, I
urge you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement of
persons and objects to the military or to the nearest security agency.
Before I end this brief, I will like to place on record, the commendable
cooperation and contribution of the Cameroonian Forces. Their active
involvement even at the expense of the lives and well-being of their
troops is worthy of emulation by our other neighbours. I wish to also
use this opportunity to commiserate with the Cameroonians for the loss
of their gallant officer and soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice
during the joint operations. We equally remember the death of Maj Gen YM
Abubakar in the line of duty. May the gentle souls of all troops from
Nigeria and Cameroon who lost their lives rest in peace. Thank you.
