Text of Live Media Briefing by Major General Leo Irabor Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole Yesterday at Maiduguri
1. I am delighted to be with you again this afternoon to acquaint you with developments within the Theatre of operation. The troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued with the ongoing operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs). Since our last interaction, our troops have conducted many operations with immense successes. Within the period, there were some command changes. Let me use this opportunity to introduce some of our Commanders who assumed duty recently. As you know, in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, we have a value-addition command philosophy. The pedigree of these officers speaks to their readiness to key into the philosophy for greater effectiveness.
2. Furthermore, the Theatre has witnessed visits by several personalities to further support the peace efforts already being enjoyed today. Therefore, this brief will touch on some of the activities and operations as follows:
a. Visit of the Chief of Defence Staff. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, visited the Theatre of operation between 20 – 21 Nov 16. During the visit, the CDS among other things inspected some modified military vehicles that would be inducted into our operations. The CDS also launched the posters of Batch 3 Wanted BHT Suspects and thereafter presented it to all heads of other security agencies in BORNO State.
b. Visit of the Chief of Army Staff. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, had a working 2-week visit to the Theatre of operation between 8 – 21 Nov 16. The COAS later visited soldiers and officers that were wounded in action and now hospitalised at the 7 Division Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on 14 and 15 Nov 16 respectively. On 16 Nov 16, the COAS received and inspected 3 types of 4-wheel drive vehicles that were manufactured locally in Nigeria and donated by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company. The vehicles were to be tested for use in the counterinsurgency operations here in the Theatre. Furthermore, COAS also inspected some modified military vehicles in the theatre’s Main Repair Group, including some other equipment that have been repaired for future operations.
c. Visit by Team from Africa Centre of Atlantic Council and Nigerian Guild of Editors/Publishers. The COAS visit coincided with those of a team from Africa Centre of Atlantic Council USA and a delegation of Nigerian Guild of Editors/Publishers on 8 – 9 Nov 16. The Nigerian Army Resource Centre sponsored the visits. The visitors were taken on a tour of parts of the Theatre in addition to very useful exchange of ideas on the fight against terrorism.
d. Visit of SRSG. On 16 Nov 16, the COAS received the Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General Mohamed Ibn Chambas at the Headquarters Theatre Command. During the visit, the COAS and the NA were commended for keeping to Global best practices in the conduct of operations. A lot of issues were discussed including the need for improved humanitarian assistance for the Internally Displaced Persons in North East.
e. Operation KARYA GWIWA. On 28 Oct 16 at about 0935hrs, own troops commenced clearing operations on 2 axes to clear and destroy insurgents along GOLGORE, DOKSA, AJIGIN and environs. By 1800hrs, own troops had cleared DOKSA 1, 2 and 3. On 29 Oct 16 at about 0700hrs, own troops continued their advance and later came under BHT ambush at UGUNDIRI where 5 soldiers sustained gunshot wounds. Two anti-air guns were recovered from the BHT and a gun truck was destroyed. Later, on 1 Nov 16 at about 1354hrs, own troops in conjunction with members of vigilantes conducted a fighting patrol to BULABILI AJIGIN village around DOKSA – AJIGIN general area. The troops located a BHT camp and on sighting the team, the BHT fled the camp abandoning 7 motorcycles, 5 bicycles, a desert camouflage and a large quantity of drugs. All items were destroyed in situ. During the operations a total of 37 BHT were killed while 2 officers and 5 soldiers of own troops were wounded in action. Unfortunately, a member of the vigilante died during the offensive operation.
f. Clearing Operations. Clearing operations were conducted as follows:
(1) On 28 Oct 16 at about 0900hrs, own troops conducted clearing operations to GONGON and GONGON KOLORI. During the operations, troops came in contact with BHT and the terrorists fled their camp. Several huts, 3 motorcycles, foodstuffs, a bicycle and a Mikano generating set were burnt in situ. Own EOD team also detonated two IEDs. Again, a solar panel and an unserviceable Steyr Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were also discovered.
(2) On 29 Oct 16 at about 0642hrs, the operation continued to ALAGARNO 1, MARKAS and GUJERI. During the operation, several BHT huts, 7 Datsun pickup, 16 motorcycles, 21 bicycles, 8 solar panels, 4 generating sets, 3 Volkswagen cars, 3 unserviceable Nigerian Army Toyota Hilux vehicles that were carted away by BHT in 2015 were discovered in one of the camps. All equipment and items found were thereafter destroyed in situ.
(3) On 30 Oct 16 at about 1301hrs, own troops in conjunction with some vigilante conducted fighting patrol to NJUBULLA village and they came in contact with BHT at about 1415hrs. The items recovered include 10 Dane guns, 2 APC rims, a locally made pistol, a gun barrel, 4 locally made swords, 2 machetes, a camp gas cooker, 22 arrows, a solar panel, 9 motorcycles, 3 grinding machines and a large mechanic workshop were all destroyed in situ.
g. BHT Attack of Mallam Fatori. Own troops deployed in Mallam Fatori, in the forward location along the Nigeria – Niger on 4 Nov 16 at about 2100hrs came under BHT attack. The insurgents who had been earlier dislodged by the troops regrouped to reclaim the location but were ruthlessly repelled after a fierce battle that lasted for about 2 hours. In the fierce battle, the troops killed 14 insurgents and captured one General Purpose Machine gun, one PKM, 7 AK47 rifles, 57 rounds of 7.62 mm, one hand grenade, 2 Nokia phones and chemical substances for making Improvised Explosive Device. Sadly, however, an Officer Lt Col M Abu-Ali and 6 soldiers lost their lives in the combat while 4 other soldiers’ sustained injuries (one unfortunately died later). The rest of the wounded are responding to treatment in own medical facility.
Continues…
