No Borno Territory Under Boko Haram – Army

BEVERLY HILLS, July 26, (THEWILL) – Contrary to the news that some local government areas in Borno State are still under Boko Haram occupation, the Nigerian Army said on Sunday that there was no truth in the news.

Speaking at a media briefing in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigeria Army with headquarters in Maiduguri, Col. Tukur Gusau, who make the clarification, also said the recent recapture of Dikwa was the first time Nigerian troops would be liberating the town.

Dikwa was among the 22 local governments of Borno state which were captured but was announced to have been liberated before the general elections.

According to Gusau, who is the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, : “This is the first time we entered Dikwa and liberated the town from Boko Haram. It is true there was information to the effect that Dikwa was once liberated but not by Nigerian troops. But this time around, we have recaptured the town and killed 20 Boko Haram terrorists during the battle.

“The military would never recaptured any town or community and then leave,” adding “We won’t allow Boko Haram to seize the town again, never again. It won’t happen.”

Displaying the arms and ammunition recovered from the insurgents during the recapture of Dikwa at the briefing, Gusau disclosed that the Nigerian0 troops engaged the insurgents in fierce battle to liberate Dikwa.

He however maintained that no soldier died in the action while 20 insurgents were killed and some cache of weapon recovered from the battle ground.

His words: “We met resistance from Boko Haram and 20 were killed during battle. We recovered various weapons including one General Purpose Machine Guns, six AK 47, three Magazine, one Tafor Rifle, one PKM Rifle, 12.7 mm anti-aircraft ammunition and 7.62 mm special.”

Gusau also disclosed that three SIM cards with 4 GB memory card and a cell phone were discovered while some vehicles and motorcycles laden with IEDs were destroyed in the fierce encounter.

Gusau affirmed that presently no Borno territory which is the area of operation of the 7 Div is under the Boko Haram, saying though the insurgents do attack and retreat, those places cannnot be said to be under the control of the insurgents.