The Nigerian troops further demonstrated their gallantry, in one of the troubled North Eastern states in Nigeria, after they resisted and repelled rampaging members of Boko Haram, who attempted to invade Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State in the early hour of Monday.
The Nigerian Military spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, stated that the Nigerian Airforce jets, provided aerial support with heavy bombardments at the terrorist targets, which helped the ground troops.
“The troops were also mindful of the rule of engagement as well as non-passage of State of Emergency request from Mr. President, by the Nigerian lawmakers, they nevertheless adopted strategic approach to secure the civilian population while repelling and apprehending the terrorists.”
However, a top security source disclosed that, “over a dozen of the sect members actually died in the crossfire. The battle is not yet over, as there are suspicions that some of the terrorists might have melted into the community to hide or for other ulterior motives.” The security personnel therefore urged the residents to assist the force by identifying and exposing the terrorists that may be hiding within the community.
It would be recalled that early on Monday morning, the Defence Headquarters had assured Nigerians that the military was engaging the terrorists in Damaturu. “We have warned our civilian brothers and sisters in and around our designated targets to vacate the areas, that there would be Military operations in those areas, and we thank them that they co-operated with us.”
Olukolade similarly added in a tweet he earlier posted that, “troops backed by the Airforce are carefully engaging terrorists who attacked the town in the early hours of today (Monday). The approach is to secure the civilian population while repelling or apprehending the terrorists.”
Yobe, Adamawa and Borno, are the three North Eastern States, in which the activities of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram has been holding sway, for some time now.
The three states were under emergency rules, which expired last October. President Goodluck Jonathan had requested for the extension, but the National Assembly (NASS) had turned down the request.
However, Olukolade, stated that with or without the extension of the emergency rule, “the Nigerian Military, has a duty to perform and it shall carry out that duty with a sense of responsibility.”
