Boko Haram: Army bombards Sambisa forest

The military yesterday launched a full-scale operation to flush out Boko Haram, in collaboration with Chad and Cameroon forces, bombing the dreaded Sambisa forest, camp of the insurgents, in Borno State.

This is coming barely one week after a meeting between the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki and the service chiefs resolved that the military would begin a massive onslaught against insurgents.

Security source revealed that air force planes had engaged in sustained bombardment of the Sambisa forest, aimed at destroying the military hardware of Boko Haram before a ground force will move in  to reclaim territories the terrorists are occupying.

It was gathered that for almost an hour, warplanes struck Boko Haram positions, after which armoured vehicles rolled across the bridge linking Fotokol town in Cameroon with Gamboru in Nigeria, clearing the way for the infantry.

Sources revealed that Chad's military joined in the air strikes, while waiting for authorisation for the allied troops: Nigeria and Cameroon to begin ground operation.

Commenting on this, Major General Chris Olukolade, director of Defence Information, in a statement said: 'The mission is on. There are no allowing terrorists anywhere. As many times as they come, it will only give us the opportunity to decimate them.'

The Defence Headquarters spokesman said also: 'Contrary to the impression being pushed in some quarters, it is the Nigerian forces that planned and are driving the present onslaught against terrorists from all fronts in Nigeria, not the Chadian forces, as is being propagated by some media.'

Olukolade said there were contingents from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad in the operations, which allowed 'a massive move against terrorists from all angles.'

In the attack, armoured vehicles and infantry crossed a bridge from Cameroon into Nigeria.  This is coming barely one week after Chadian troops chased insurgents out of Malumfatori, a Borno town, which lies near the borders of Chad and Niger.

Also, at the weekend, Chadian forces reclaimed Gamboru-Ngala, after a heated battle with Boko Haram that involved a ground and air campaign. - The Sun.