Borno : Boko Haram kills scores in fresh attacks

It has been reported that in Borno State, at least 29 persons have been killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

This happened on Saturday in fresh attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on three local government areas of Borno State.

The three local governments attacked are Gubio, Nganzai and Monguno.

The Boko Haram attacks came barely a day after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), claimed that the terrorist group had been degraded and were only taken advantage of the COVID-19 to execute pockets of attacks.

It was reported that the group had on Tuesday killed 81 persons in a major attack on Gubio.

The group reportedly returned to another settlement in Gubio, Dunga village, where they struck on Saturday morning.

Just about the same time, the insurgents attacked Usmanti village in the Nganzai Local Government Area, killing 29 persons.

Credible sources reported that the insurgents invaded Usmanti around 11 am on Saturday.

“The insurgents executed a daring attack killing 29 persons in the village. The village though in Nganzai Local Government Area shares boundary with Gubio Local Government Area where 81 persons were killed on Tuesday,” one of the sources said.

The insurgents were also said to have attacked Monguno town, one of the most strategic towns in Northern Borno, which houses humanitarian operations and has structures accommodating over 100,000 internally displaced persons.

Eyewitnesses in Monguno revealed that the military was able to repel the terrorists.

They said land troops were assisted by air strike, rooting out the invading terrorists.

Residents of Dapchi flee over fears of Boko Haram attack

On Sunday, residents of Dapchi, headquarters of Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State, could not hold Eid prayers as majority of the people spent the night in the bush and nearby villages over fears that Boko Haram may attack the town again.

People from a nearby village hinted that Boko Haram militants in a convoy of 11 Hilux vehicles and heavily armed were approaching Dapchi but suddenly changed direction and took the road towards Gumsa.

A resident told reported that as at yes, Dapchi was almost empty as only a few people remained in the town, which was also attacked six days ago by Boko Haram.

“Town is empty now, all of the people have run yesterday into the bush. Some returned this morning but news of sighting Boko Haram in nearby village created fresh panic and people fled again.

Today is supposed to be Sallah (Eid) day of happiness but we are here running for our lives, fleeing danger. No one is even talking about Sallah celebrations,” a resident said.

"Soldiers have killed over 1000 Boko Haram terrorists since April" - Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai has revealed that troops have killed 1,015 Boko Haram insurgents since April 4 till date.

The COAS disclosed this while hosting troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at an Eid-El-Fitr luncheon at Military Control and Command Centre in Maiduguri.

Buratai who revealed that artillery airstrike and blockage operations conducted by troops at the Tumbuktu Triangles around Sambisa has been greatly successful, further disclosed that some notable encounters since the commencement of the operation include that of Buni Gari, Gaidam, Minok, Dapchi, Baga, Dikwa, Awulari, Ajiri, Pulka, Ngoshe, Alafa and different parts of Sambisa Forest as well as Gajiganna.

He also said that a total of 84 high ranking members of Boko Haram logistics and informants were arrested within the period.

Boko Haram terrorists killed in Yobe airstrike

The Defence Headquarters says that the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) on Monday, neutralised scores of Boko Haram terrorists on the outskirts of Dapchi Town in Yobe.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, said the airstrike also destroyed two terrorists’ gun trucks in the attack.

Enenche said that the air operation was conducted following an attack by the terrorists in about five vehicles on Dapchi town. According to him, a Helicopter Gunship scrambled to engage the terrorists, scored direct hits on their vehicles, destroying two of them and killing the occupants.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has commended the Air Task Force for their professionalism. He also directed them to remain resolute towards eradicating the terrorists from the North East,” he said.