•Troops repel another‘ISWAP attack on base in Borno
The Nigerian military has raised concerns over the rising sophistication of terrorist operations in the North East, disclosing that armed drones are now being used to execute deadly attacks.
Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Abdulsalam Abubakar, said while the military has recorded significant successes in recent weeks, terrorist groups have also evolved in their strategies, taking advantage of regional instability and access to technology.
Abubakar said the situation in Nigeria was closely linked to the broader instability in the Sahel region, explaining that some neighbouring countries were experiencing weapon theft, with these firearms finding their way into Nigeria.
“What is happening in Nigeria is not unconnected to the situation in the greater Sahel region, whereby our neighbouring countries are being ransacked and weapons carted away. These weapons find their way into Nigeria, thereby re-energising the fight,” he said.
“Two years ago, we were ready to say the conflict was over but the deterioration in security among the ahel states has affected us. In spite of this progress, the terrorists have also adapted.
“This is possible also due to the relative ease in which they can access technology. For instance, since November of last year, we noticed the introduction of armed drones to carry out attacks. As you would find out in Israel, these drones are difficult to detect by conventional weather detection systems.”
The theatre commander reported significant progress in the region, noting that most Nigerians have returned to their communities and socio-economic activities have resumed.
He said over 20,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their ancestral homes due to the positive results from the military operations.
“In the last one week alone, over 20 terrorists have been neutralised and we have also recovered several arms and ammunition, even as we continue to conduct operations on multiple fronts,” he said.
“For now, most citizens have returned to their communities, and socio-economic activities have resumed. Our recent success stories include over 20,000 internally displaced persons returning to their ancestral homes.”
Abubakar reassured the public of the military’s unwavering resolve to defeat terrorism and restore peace in the region as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have reportedly repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on the forward operating base (FOB) in Rann, Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.
Reports in Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication covering the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred yesterday morning when the terrorists, disguised as Fulani herders launched an attack on the military base.
Makama said the troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle prompting the intervention of a NAF fighter jet, which arrived at the scene during the attack.
The publication noted that, on sighting the air troops, the terrorists attempted to flee in different directions to avoid attack.
Makama said the NAF pilot tracked and engaged a group of the fleeing terrorists escaping in a Hilux truck, killing several of them and destroying the vehicle.
The number of casualties on the side of the terrorists was yet to be confirmed, and normalcy has been restored to the area following the intervention of the military.
On Tuesday, Boko Haram fighters reportedly killed at least five soldiers during attacks on military bases in Borno.