By Chris Nomjov
Nigerian troops successfully reclaimed the commercial city of Bama, in Borno yesterday afternoon, from the grip of Boko Haram insurgents. In a tweet from @DefenceInfoNG, it was revealed that the gallant troops routed terrorists from Bama and proceeded to mopping up the town.
In a press statement, signed by Military spokesperson, Major Gen,.Chris Olukolade, the mission which was accomplished with massive casualty inflicted on the terrorists before the remnant finally fled the town, lasted days of careful manouvre and efforts to scale series of obstacles and land mines planted by terrorists who have occupied the town for months.
“The Chadian partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force have been mandated to undertake a pursuit of the terrorists who are believed to be heading for the borders after being dislodged from Bama.
“Nigerian troops are continuing with cordon and search of the town and surrounding. Arms and ammunition are being recovered as troops conduct aggressive patrol of the entire vicinity on the looking out for any terrorists who might be stranded or trying to operate elsewhere in the area.
In a related development, earlier in the day, Goniri, the last major stronghold of the terrorists operating in Yobe state was taken over completely by troops after days of manouvre. It was revealed that cordon and search were in progress, in and around Goniri town which is in same LGA with Buni Yadi where a bomb making facility was discovered in the course of cordon and search recently.
Gen. Olukolade stated that
“This completes the clearing of Gujba Local Government Area (LGA), one of the two LGA occupied by the terrorists in Yobe state. The other Local Government, Gulani, was finally cleared earlier in the month. This makes Yobe the second to be successfully cleared among the three state slated for the mission to dislodge terrorists bases.
“The comprehensive offensive aimed at clearing the terrorists from all parts of the mission area is continuing with coordinated air strikes on identified terrorists hideouts and enclaves along with ground assaults.
Major General Chris Olukolade
Director Defence Information
March 16, 2015
