The Nigerian military on Friday recaptured more towns in Adamawa and Yobe States, keeping it free for the residents to return to their homes.
The Defence Headquarters said troops flushed out Boko Haram terrorists from Gulag, Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State and Bara in Gulani LGA in neighbouring Yobe State.
“Troops have finally routed terrorists from Bara, the Headquarters of Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State and Gulag, the Headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of today, Friday .
“The fierce fighting that preceded the clearing of towns and other communities resulted in appreciable casualties on the terrorists, the capture of some of them, the recovery and destruction of arms, thousands of assorted rounds ammunition as well as vehicles and other equipment including; Anti-Aircraft Guns, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Grenades, Multi-barrel bombs, Multi-barrel Grenade Launchers, rifles and mortar guns,” a spokesman for the military, Major General, Chris Olukolade, said in a statement.
Other locations also cleared in the course of the two days operation include, Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and Bumsa.
The Defence Headquarters wrote on its twitter handle: “We have also flushed out Terrorists from #Gulag, #Madagali LGA HQ in #Adamawa state, earlier today.
“#VictoryForNigeria. After 2 Days of intense operations, troops have finally routed terrorists from #BARA, Gulani LGA in Yobe”.
The reclaiming of more communities is coming a day after President Goodluck Jonathan visited the troops in Baga and Mubi, applauding the troops and reassured them of the government’s commitment to their welfare.
Maintain Momentum
Two days ago, the Nigerian Army Chief, Kenneth Minimah, assured Nigerians that troops would likely reclaim Madagali by the weekend, before targeting Gwoza in Borno State.
Mr. Minimah gave the hint when he visited Baga on Wednesday.
Baga and Monguno were recaptured in the last three weeks by the Nigerian armed forces as they apparently stepped up their campaign against the Boko Haram group. Mubi had earlier been retaken in November.
Earlier on Friday, President Jonathan expressed optimism that the Nigerian troops would maintain the momentum they have built up in ongoing operations against the Boko Haram and rapidly recover more occupied communities from the terrorist group.
In a meeting held in Abuja on Friday with the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jacques Champagne De Labriolle, President Jonathan said the officers and men of the Nigerian Army he met on the front-lines in Borno and Adamawa States on Thursday were in very high spirits, well prepared and determined to successfully complete their operations against the Boko Haram.
