Despite repeated claims that Boko Haram has been defeated, investigations showed that the insurgents, though degraded, still finds the time and space to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which is their chief weapon of mass destruction.

A military source told our reporter that IED factories litter the state of Borno, the theatre of war, between troops of Nigeria and the sect members, but added that the military is on top of the situation.

“Nigerians should be grateful to the military for their proactive strategies which has seen them destroy many IED factories before the sect members could ever roll out their deadly weapon”, the source said, adding that but for the timely military interventions with evidence of destruction of IED farms, the bombing situation could have been worse.

For instance, on Wednesday 28th June 2017, troops of 151 Battalion on routine fighting patrol within Lt Col Abu Ali Range discovered freshly dug hole prepared for Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists. The unit’s Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team scanned the general area and discovered 1 Cylinder main charge, 1 Pressure plate and 3 Battery suspected to have been abandoned by the terrorists. The prepared IED was safely detonated by team.

In a related development troops of 82 Task Force Battalion on patrol along Ngoshe-Pulka also discovered 3 IED buried by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the road. The unit’s EOD team safely detonated the IEDs in-situ.

Based on information, troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army  ambushed Boko Haram terrorists along Gamboru-Mussini-Logomani that came to loot and burn a broken down truck loaded with assorted goods at Mussini village. The troops neutralize 5 terrorists and further exploitation recovered 1 AK-47 rifle with registration number 565203290, 1 AK-47 magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 27 Bicycles, 10 Machetes and 1 Dagger.

Meanwhile, as part of their contribution to the host community and also activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army are right now at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Chibok rendering free medical service to the community. So far, they have attended to over 300 persons since morning and still counting.

File photo: IEDs abandoned by the insurgents