Army intensifies campaign against insurgents in Lake Chad

The Nigerian Army has embarked on community sensitisation in northern Borno state and Lake Chad basin to rout out Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the area.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

Col. Isa disclosed that sensitisation activities were in progress at Gajiram, Magumeri, Gubio, Kukawa, Gudumbali and adjoining villages of Borno state.

“So far, over 20, 000 copies of psychological operations and sensitization leaflets have been forwarded to the headquarters of the theatre command for coordination with the air task force to air-drop the leaflets on selected locations.

“The air dropping of the leaflets, if conducted alongside ongoing air and artillery interdiction, would exert additional pressure on Boko Haram/ISWAP bandits and crouching terrorists’ leaders,” Col. Isa said.

He disclosed that normalcy has returned to Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area, sequel to the successful and peaceful Juma’at prayer last Friday as well as the robust deployment of troops in the area.

According to him, the general security situation is calm as residents were going about their routine businesses.

The army spokesman revealed that the divisional police officer and his men have returned to resume operation at the police division in the town.

“On Thursday, 100 hunters and members of the vigilante have also returned to the town from Maiduguri.

“The returnees including hunters, vigilantes and policemen were received by Brig.-Gen. Jimoh, the commander, Artillery Brigade, who represented the Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu.

“The security situation and general atmosphere in Gajiram Town is relatively calm and peaceful.

“Troops morale in Gajiram response area is high with long range patrols conducted in line with the super camp concept of the counter -terrorism operations,” he added.

The officer noted that the hunters have vowed never to leave Gajiram again, even as they reaffirmed their support to troops and promised to collaborate with the military.

They promised to provide vital and timely information to aid patrols and other operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP criminals in the area.

Col. Isa added that the theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, seeks for support from Nigerians in the collective struggle to crush the insurgency.