Army Dismisses Shekau Video, say no hiding place for terrorists

The Nigerian military has asked the public to disregard the recent video purportedly released by the eccentric leader of Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, and assured that all captives with the terrorists would be freed.

This comes as troops of newly inducted 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade, in conjunction with Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG) and the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF), carried out a spectacular clearance operation on Tuesday, 22nd March 2016, in furtherance of efforts to make the North East safe and secure from the nefarious and criminal activities of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists,

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said in a statement on Thursday that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) noticed “the online video clips purportedly released by the Boko Haram Terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau or his replica in Arabic and Hausa Languages showing remorse and asking for forgiveness.

He said there was no safe haven for remnants of terrorists in the North=East.

“The DHQ wishes to state emphatically that not minding the contents of the video clips, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to fight in order to consolidate the successes recorded so far and assuring Nigerians that no inch of the Nigerian territory would be allowed to be bastardized by any force of darkness again,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar assured the members of that public “that all captives under the coffer of the Boko Haram Terrorists, would regain their freedom with the ongoing military’s final offensive against the terrorists”.

While the Nigerian Military would not rest until all the remnants of the terrorist group are completely wiped out of our blessed land, he said, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, wishes to commend all officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices, determination and courage to degrade the terrorists and task them to complete the good job they have started soonest in line with our rules of engagement.

Abubakar urged that the said video clips should be discountenanced as it could be another ploy or antics of the terrorists to keep our innocent citizen off their current security alertness to maximize casualties if attacked.

He said that the Nigerian Armed Forces are now determined more than ever before to end this ugly trend.

He also advised members of the public not to be carried away by the video clips, but to be extra vigilant and be security conscious at all times during Easter celebration and beyond.

TROOPS CLEAR REMNANTS OF BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS IN KALA BALGE

PRESS STATEMENT BY Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations

In furtherance of efforts to make the North East safe and secure from the nefarious and criminal activities of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, troops of newly inducted 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade, in conjunction with Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG) and the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF), carried out a spectacular clearance operation on Tuesday, 22nd March 2016.

The gallant troops cleared the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in Kala Balge general area.

The triumphant troops apart from killing 22 terrorists cleared pockets of the terrorists in Wumbi, Tunish, Tilem and Malawaji. Others are Makaudari, Daima, Buduli, Sadigumo, Jiwe, Sidigeri and Kala villages. The troops also rescued 309 persons held captives by the terrorists.

They also discovered and destroyed the terrorists training camp, factory, locally made weapons and warehouse at Tilem and then secured Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.

In a related development, troops of 3 Battalion with the support of Civilian JTF also conducted a fighting patrol at Kusumma village in which they killed 3 Boko Haram terrorists and captured one alive.

They also rescued 520 persons held hostage by the terrorists and recovered 1 motorcycle, weapons and axes.

The troops, basking in the unprecedented achievement, are also making efforts to clear remnants of the terrorists in the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your usual cooperation.

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