NIGERIAN military authorities have reported more success in their ongoing fight against Boko Haram claiming that scores of terrorists are now surrendering following the attacks on their camps and the capture of their bases. Over the last few weeks, Nigerian troops have intensified their attacks on Boko Haram targets and according to the army, all off the terrorists camps have been overrun.
Chief of army staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, recently visited Gamboru, the Boko Haram stronghold in Borno State where he spent the night and crossed the border into Cameroon to visit refugees in the border town of Fotokol.
Colonel Sani Usman, the director of army public relations, said that with the renewed onslaught, more terrorists and fighters are willing to surrender to the Nigerian military. He listed the new strategies employed to include sustained offensive operations, pre-emptive air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force and routes blocking by ground troops all geared towards constricting and snuffing out the Boko Haram terrorists.
“Many of the terrorists that willingly surrendered painted images of mass panic and hysteria among their erstwhile colleagues. They are feeling the noose tightening around their necks with the relentless efforts of troops and renewed vigour in operations inspired by the personal leadership of the chief of army staff. "Terrorists also seem to have an inkling of what happens to surrendered suspects as regards screening and de-radicalisation of innocent ones among them.
The Nigerian Army wishes to also appreciate the great support and information it receives from well meaning citizens," Col Usman added. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari also said Boko Haram insurgents had been sufficiently weakened that they no longer have the capacity to occupy the northeast or any other party of the country. President Buhari, who was represented by vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo, spoke while addressing the second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Igwuruta, near Port Harcourt.
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