In a Monday statement, Enenche had announced that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed at least 35 bandits in Zamfara in two successive operations.
The operations were carried out on Sunday, the spokesman said.
According to the statement, the troops were also able to recover 24 cows and an unspecified number of sheep from the bandits.
He also noted that two suspected bandits have been arrested in Katsina state.
During his Thursday press briefing, Enenche renewed his appeal for members of the public to continually provide the military with actionable information that will assist in decimating all criminal elements in the country.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued three persons kidnapped by bandits in Nasarawa State.
The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche Major General, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He explained that the rescue operation was conducted on Thursday at Mararaba Udege general area in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Enenche noted that the soldiers killed one bandit in the ensuing firefight while the kidnapped victims were subsequently reunited with their respective families.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until all enemies of the country are neutralised and normalcy is restored to all troubled zones,” he said.
Several Terrorists Killed
Elsewhere, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.
The military spokesman noted that the troops took out the terrorists’ hideouts in Alagarno, including a compound housing some high-value Boko Haram leaders.
“The compound, concealed under thick vegetation and located 2.3Km North East of KAFA, was being used by the terrorists to coordinate their nefarious activities.
“The destruction of the locations was achieved through multiple air strikes executed on 6 January 2021 as the ATF dispatched appropriate force packages of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and attack helicopters to engage the target areas in day and night raids,” he stated.
Enenche noted that the insurgents were spotted under the dense vegetation of the locations and the NAF attack aircraft took turns to engage the targets, killing several of them in the process.
At least five bandits have been killed and 13 kidnapped victims rescued by troops in the last one week, the military has said.
Major General John Enenche, who is the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He said the military would continue to step up efforts aimed at decimating the Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in the North East, as well as bandits and other criminals in other parts of the country.
Enenche revealed that during the operations, several Boko Haram and ISWAP members were killed, and their camps destroyed.
He noted that the operations were conducted across all regions of the country, except in the South East and South West.
According to the major general, the military remains committed to its untiring dedication towards securing the nation.
He, however, stressed the need for regular provision of timely information on the activities of criminals operating in the country.
Read the full text of Enenche’s briefing below:
PRESS BRIEFING
GENERAL UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FROM 31 DECEMBER 2020 TO 6 JANUARY 2021
The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued their major operations across the country with renewed vigor.
I will be updating you on the operations in line with our weekly schedule. This briefing covers from 31 December 2020 to 6 January 2021.
NORTH-WEST ZONE
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained their operations in the North-West Zone of the country progressively. The gallant troops within the period carried out several operations including rescue operations as well as clearance, ambushes and aerial patrols.
These operations led to the rescue of abducted persons, neutralisation of criminal elements and recovery of arms and ammunition. Within the period in focus, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI while on routine patrol around Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State made contact with bandits.
In the course of the encounter, the gallant troops rescued 7 kidnapped victims. Relatedly, on 31 December 2020, troops acting on credible intelligence rescued two women and a child kidnapped at Kimbisawa village of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families.
In a related development, troops of Operation ACCORD rescued 3 kidnapped victims on New Year day following credible intelligence that armed bandits stormed Tungar Ruwa village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Rescued victims have been reunited with their families. Equally, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY arrested two suspected armed bandits on New Year day following a tip off at Maraban Maigora in Faskari Local Government Area. Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects had connection with a notorious armed bandit leader in Madachi village of Sabuwa Local Government Area.
In the same vein, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY on 2 January 2021, based on credible intelligence neutralized five armed bandits at Garin Garus. Items recovered include, 2 AK 47 rifles, 2 magazines and 18 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Troops have continued to dominate the North West theatre of operation with aggressive fighting and aerial patrols to deny the criminal elements freedom of action.
NORTH-EAST ZONE
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have not relented in their efforts to decimate the BHT/ISWAP elements operating in the North East Zone of the Country.
Between 31 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE sustained their ground and air operations by adopting continuous vigilance and offensive postures.
Within the period in focus, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE neutralised several ISWAP terrorist elements and destroyed their structures alongside some logistics items in air strikes conducted at Tumbun Gini general area of Borno State.
This was achieved after series of aerial surveillance missions indicated that the structures and logistics items, camouflaged under dense vegetation was used as staging area for the criminals and their leaders to meet, from where they plan and launch attacks on troops and civilians.
Similarly, on 1 January 2021, the Air Task Force destroyed new BHT’s settlement and neutralised some of their fighters at Mana Waji in Borno State. In another development on 2 January 2021, the Air Task Force took out some BHT criminal elements’ hideouts and eliminated some of their fighters during air strikes at Kote Kura and Bulama Isamari within the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State.
The air strikes were executed based on credible intelligence report indicating that the terrorists had established camps at the two settlements, where they stored their logistics items as well as plan and launch attacks on civilians and troops.
Subsequently, series of air patrols and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well air cover for surface troops have been continuously conducted across the Zone.
NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE
In the North Central zone, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to intensify ongoing kinetic operations to decisively stamp out armed banditry and other criminalities.
Notably, on 31 December 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested three suspected gun runners Yahaya Aliyu, Maiwada Idris and Ishaq Mohammed at Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspects were handed over to the DSS for further investigation.
Similarly, on 2 January 2021, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with the DSS, arrested a suspected member of a notorious kidnap gang, one Suleiman Tanko.
The suspect was picked up at a clinic at Ungwan Carpenter village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during a recent kidnap operation foiled by troops.
Tanko’s arrest was followed by the arrest of another wanted kidnap kingpin, one Mallam Abdulmuminu Nuhu at Fobur village in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State on 3 January 2021.
Same day, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN apprehended 3 suspects, Messrs David Kure, Peter Adamu, and Bulus Duniya, in connection with the alleged murder of a Fulani herder at Matyeu village of Zonzon district in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Two other suspects, messrs Mathew Peter (the prime suspect) and Dakachi Yohanna Chawei, were arrested in connection with the murder, on 4 January 2021. All suspects are presently undergoing preliminary investigation.
SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone progressively.
Within the period under review, acting on credible intelligence, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA Patrol team located a wooden boat laden with about 200,000 litres of product suspected to be crude oil. Accordingly, the boats along with the product were handled appropriately.
Equally, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team discovered and immobilised an illegal refining site with 9 storage tanks and 4 ovens containing crude oil estimated to be about 150,000 litres at Olaipase Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The patrol team proceeded further within the same community and located another illegal refinery site with 15 storage tanks and 8 ovens laden with substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO estimated to be about 250,000 litres.
The Military High Command encourages the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain resolute and to sustain the tempo in all the Joint Operations Areas. The High Command also reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the country.
Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action. Thank you.
No fewer than two thousand criminals have been killed by troops between March and December across various parts of the country, the military has said.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing a press conference in Abuja.
He explained that a total of 2,403 criminals were neutralised in a bid to contain the excesses of insurgents, kidnappers and others whose activities threaten the peace and security of Nigeria.
General Enenche added that troops rescued a total of 864 kidnapped victims across the country and arrested 1,910 criminals with a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered during the period.
He stated that the military would continue to sustain the offensive against all criminal elements and not relent until peace was restored to every troubled zone in the country.
A file photo of a soldier sitting on a military truck. PHOTO: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.
The military spokesman also reassured Nigerians that the military remained committed to its duty of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
He, however, called for the provision of timely and credible information that would aid the military in the fight against insurgency and emerging security challenges.
Read the full text of General Enenche’s briefing below:
PRESS BRIEFING
RECORD OF ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2020 FROM 18 MARCH TO 30 DECEMBER
As you are aware, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) came into full operations from 18 March 2020.
Since its establishment, the DDMO have worked assiduously to meet its mandate; to manage military operations information from all theatres of operation across the Country.
All through, the Directorate provided a single, coordinated voice to disseminate timely and credible information on all Defence Headquarters-led operations.
We have achieved these through daily press releases, weekly press briefings, as well as quarterly updates and sometimes personal appearances on different media houses, and these would not have been possible without your cooperation and support, gentlemen of the press. We honestly appreciate you.
As we come to the end of the year, it is necessary for us to jog memories on the unrelenting and committed efforts of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to resolve the security challenges across the country.
This would give a better perspective of the cumulative results of our operational activities and achievements. Against this backdrop, I will be giving a record on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operations from 18 March to 30 December 2020.
The efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers and men of the Military as well as other security agencies that conduct these operations have been progressive.
Within the period under review, troops engaged in a series of land, maritime and air operations, involving both kinetic and non-kinetic activities across the country.
The land operations conducted among others across the various theatres of operation include; clearance, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments and aggressive patrols.
Others were maritime operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-crude oil theft and anti-pipeline vandalism operations as well as other duties such as anti-smuggling operations.
Furthermore, comprehensive air operations including air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support and air cover for ground troops.
Although some of our troops paid the supreme prize in the course of the operations, our dogged troops have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations.
Within the timeframe in focus, troops neutralised scores of terrorists and bandits, while many others were incapacitated, and their camps destroyed.
Our operations also inhibited activities of economic saboteurs as well as exposed and obviated other criminal activities.
In addition, several other criminal elements, including high profile ones were either killed in action or arrested, sometimes together with their families as well as informants and gunrunners.
Besides, there are records of scores of criminals surrendering due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower and intelligence activities.
Other feats recorded in the course of our operations were the rescue of kidnapped victims, prominent among which, is the recent rescue of 344 schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, as well as the Islamiya children, all in Katsina State.
Others were repelling and forestallment of terrorists and bandits’ attacks on civilians and troops. Troops also recovered caches of arms and ammunition, equipment, vehicles and oodles of livestock within the period.
You may as well recall that, in the maritime environment, troops in major and subsidiary operations were able to disrupt smuggling activities, immobilise illegal refining sites, arrest perpetrators, seize foreign parboiled rice and recover tons of petroleum products.
In the North-West zone of the country, between 18 March and 31 December 2020, a cumulative total of 5,281 livestock, 6,951 rounds of ammunition and 120 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by the gallant troops in the Zone.
Furthermore, a total of 455 kidnapped victims were rescued and 473 armed bandits were killed in action.
In the same vein, a total of 461 arrests were made in the Zone including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandits’ collaborators, while total cash of N6,365,550 was recovered from armed bandits and their informants in the Zone.
Progressively, in the North-East zone of the Country within the period, 200 kidnapped victims were rescued by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
A total of 1,385 rounds of ammunition, 45 grenades as well as 95 assorted rifles were recovered from BHT/ISWAP fighters. In addition, several gun trucks were captured, while some others were destroyed during air strikes.
Equally, 1,805 insurgents/terrorists including commanders were killed by the troops aside scores killed by air raids/attacks. Additionally, within the period, a total of 79 arrests were made including high-value targets.
In the North-Central zone of the country, within the period, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and THUNDER STRIKE have achieved appreciable successes.
A total of 130 kidnapped victims were rescued and 105 assorted rifles as well as 513 rounds of ammunition and 1,055 rustled cattle, were recovered from armed bandits and other criminal elements in the Zone.
In the same vein, a total of 1,250 criminals including family members of the Darul Salam sect were arrested within the period. Furthermore, troops neutralised a total of 125 armed bandits including militia gang leaders.
In the South-South Zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies recorded remarkable results in their efforts against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes in the Zone.
Within the period under review, a cumulative total of 8,890,300 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,00 litres of DPK were impounded by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE.
In the same vein, the gallant troops immobilised a total of 185 illegal refining sites, 85 dugout pits and 163 metal storage tanks within the period.
Additionally, troops impounded a cumulative total of 31,236.8 barrels of stolen crude oil as well as 12,272,652 litres of stolen PMS from oil thieves in the Zone. Also, a total of 47 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 72 vandals and criminals were arrested.
Furthermore, a total of 4,250 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled smuggled rice were impounded and 45 boats engaged in illegal activities were arrested.
Troops also arrested a total of 53 pirates and 25 trucks as well as recovered 23 rifles, 65,330 rounds of ammunition and destroyed 23 sea pirate camps.
Similarly, troops of Operation AWATSE in the South-West Zone between 18 March and 30 December 2020, impounded a total of 10,458,600 litres of PMS; 15,345 barrels of stolen crude oil and 345,000 litres of stolen AGO.
Additionally, troops recovered a total of 3,594 rounds of ammunition and 14 assorted rifles. Also, within the period, a total of 23 illegal refining sites were immobilised, while 15 boats and 23 trucks engaged in illegal activities were arrested.
In the same vein, within the period 35 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 48 arrests were made.
In addition to the kinetic operations, the Armed Forces of Nigeria carried out non-kinetic operations in form of Civil-Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC).
A total of 92 boreholes were sunk for host communities and 16 schools and worship centres were renovated across the Country.
Additionally, 16 clinics and dispensaries were constructed and donated, including buses to host communities.
Moreover, the Armed Forces of Nigeria constructed roads installed transformers and solar power equipment in some host communities. The military also fostered several stakeholders and reconciliation meetings between hostile communities and carried out medical outreaches.
In summary, the Armed Forces of Nigeria from 18 March to 30 December 2020 neutralised 2,403 criminal elements across the Country. This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes.
Troops also rescued a total of 864 kidnapped victims across the Country. In addition, a total of 9,684,797 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,000 litres of DPK were recovered.
Equally, 1,910 criminal elements were arrested, and a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment were recovered during the period.
Furthermore, a total of 46,581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22,881,257 litres of stolen PMS were recovered by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Gleaning from the available information as I have just presented, there is no gainsaying that the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the Year 2020 yielded appreciable results.
Our operational performance for the year is a show of our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our great Nation.
We will continue to sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to protect our economic assets anywhere.
The High Command of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public for their support and further solicit their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive engagements in our operations.
The Military High Command also commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment.
Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the country.
Once again, I thank members of the press for their understanding and support for our course.
File photo: The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche.
The Nigerian military says the rescue of 344 Kankara schoolboys is the first time an operation of that magnitude will be carried out without any loss of lives.
The military described the rescue as a major achievement which will go down in history.
This position was stated by a military spokesman, Major-General John Enenche on Thursday in Abuja.
Enenche also stated that several bandits have been arrested and Boko Haram terrorists neutralised.
The spokesman further charged troops to remain determined, sustain the tempo of recent successes, and called on the public to continue to provide information that will help track down criminals.
The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi, has urged Christians to pray for the country to overcome its security challenges as they celebrate the birth of Christ.
Gen Magashi gave the charge in a Thursday statement felicitating with Christians on the special Christmas occasion.
He urged Christians to be Christ-like in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ by showing compassion to fellow Nigerians irrespective of religeous differences and to pray for peace in the country.
The Defence Minister harped on the need for peaceful co-existence, unity and peace especially as the country is fighting insurgency, banditry and kidnapping among other criminal tendencies.
He said the season is the reason to turn to God in fervent prayer to crown the sacrifices of our fighting forces to attain maximum victory over the adversaries.
While giving kudos to the troops – who by reason of their call to duty, which is primarily to defend the nation’s territorial integrity, will not be able to celebrate Christmas with their families and loved ones – he assured them that the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari will not allow their sacrifices to go unrewarded.
Gen. Magashi noted that the least appreciation Nigerians can show to the nation’s gallant soldiers who are fighting patriotically so that the citizens can sleep with their eyes closed (even when they themselves can’t afford to sleep) is to pray for them and be security conscious at this auspicious time.
He thanked the leadership of the services and heads of security agencies and their civilian counterparts for the recent feat attained in the timely rescue and return of the kidnapped students in Kankara, Katsina State.
The Minister described the successful operation that culminated in bringing back the kidnapped children as unprecedented in denying the kidnappers freedom of action, saying that such victory over the adversaries is the most beautiful Christmas and New Year special gift to the nation.
The Minister tasked the troops in various locations to be focused in invigorating their firing power and to hold the ground resolutely without allowing any crack on the walls of national defence; adding that the support of all Nigerians is critical to the attainment of security for the country for hitch free yuletide celebrations and beyond.
Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed a bandit and arrested two others in Zamfara State.
The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
He explained that the success was recorded by troops of the Forward Operating Base Shinkafi in continuation of efforts to forestall banditry and other criminal activities in the north-central region of the country.
Enenche who noted that the military has sustained its aggressive fighting posture in the region said the incident occurred on Thursday.
He disclosed that the soldiers were on night patrol when they came in contact with some armed bandits at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The military spokesman said the troops engaged the criminals who fled in disarray due to the overwhelming superior firepower of the security operatives.
During the encounter, he stated that one of the bandits was neutralised, while two of them were arrested with an AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine recovered from them.
A day after the incident, Enenche said troops deployed at Shinkafi LGA arrested one Zainab who was found roaming the town in police uniform.
According to him, a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state and has been involved in defrauding unsuspecting residents.
“All arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action,” the major general said.
A picture taken on December 18, 2020, shows the released Kankara students at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The abducted students of the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State were rescued, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said hours after the children regained freedom.
Major General John Enenche, who is the Coordinator of Defence Media Operation at the DHQ, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He explained that the schoolboys, 344 of them, were rescued on Thursday by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji – a military operation in the north-west region of the country.
The military spokesman noted that the rescue operation was conducted in line with the promise of the Armed Forces to ensure all the students return safely.
According to him, they were rescued following credible intelligence received by the troops who carried out the operation with a high degree of professionalism.
Enenche, on behalf of the military authorities, commended the troops and personnel of other security agencies involved in the operation, as well as the civilians who provided the information that led to the success recorded.
The statement read,
TROOPS OF OPERATION HADARIN DAJI RESCUE ABDUCTED STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT SCIENCE SECONDARY SCHOOL KANKARA, KATSINA STATE
Keeping to its promise to ensure the safe return of all abducted students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI rescued all 344 abducted students on Thursday 17 December 2020.
The students were rescued on the heels of credible intelligence by our gallant troops, with a high degree of professionalism to ensure they were all rescued alive.
The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, including all security agencies for their dexterity. The general public who volunteered information are also hereby appreciated.
Schoolboys Were Released
Elsewhere, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, told reporters in Abuja that the students were released by their captors.
Although he did not disclose if there was any term agreed before the children were released, he noted that the schoolboys would undergo necessary medical tests before they were handed over to their families.
“As you are aware, 344 schoolboys who were kidnapped from their school in Kankara in Katsina State last Friday have all been released unharmed.
“The Federal Government is most grateful to our security and intelligence agencies for this great feat. We also wish to thank the governments of Katsina and Zamfara states, and indeed all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria,” he said.
The minister added, “The release of these schoolboys is a testament to the importance that this administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians.
“There is no government in the world that will not face the challenges of security at one time or another.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the release of the Kankara Schoolboys saying that he is impressed with the state governor, Aminu Masari and the military.
“I am very impressed with him, he has been up and doing since it happened,” the President stated in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on Friday.
“I congratulate the governor that the schoolboys have been successfully released. I congratulated the governor and the army for organising the operation and sacrament of the abductors in getting the release of the children.”
The President noted that law enforcement agencies, the military especially the Army, and the governor worked extremely hard.
The 78-year-old explained that “As as soon as they got them the governor called me and informed and I congratulated him and the army for organizing such operation. The military is well trained, I think they are motivated”.
When asked when other Nigerians who are in captivity will be released, said his administration is trying his best, he said, “when we closed our borders we found out that still, the terrorist gets weapons and ammunition, still hold people hostages, collecting millions of naira”.
President Buhari admitted that the military still had their work cut out for them, but said “some of the things we may not say, I don’t want to compromise the efforts by the security being put n place by the law enforcement officials but our responsibility is to secure the country so I’ll say we have a lot of work to do.”
Hundreds of students abducted from a school in Kankara Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State were on Thursday released.
Governor Masari confirmed the release of the students a week after they were kidnapped by gunmen and met him on Friday at the State House where he assured the schoolchildren that they will be well taken care of.
Masari also assured them that they will each go through proper medical checks while adding that their education will also be taken care of.
Military spokesman John Enenche on Monday said only 43 persons have been confirmed killed during the onslaught on farmers in Zabarmari, Borno on Saturday by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
On Sunday, the United Nations had reported that 110 civilians had been killed.
“We have also received reports that several women may have been kidnapped. I call for their immediate release and return to safety,” the UN Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon said, in a statement.
“The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year. I call for the perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act to be brought to justice.”
Responding to the UN report during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Enenche said the military’s casualty count still stood at 43.
“I have to respond, it is coming from the United Nations,” he said. “This is a source that identified itself that 110 persons specifically were killed.”
According to him, military officials accompanied Governor Babagana Zulum to the site of the killings where the 43 bodies were counted.
But some persons had fled the scene, as they tried to escape the onslaught.
The spokesman added that the military is still searching for casualties.
“Probably we may count up to the figure he gave in the future,” Enenche said. “But as it is, up till the time I came here, what we have counted with the locals is still 43. And we are hoping that we don’t get beyond that. So that’s the real situation.”
The military on Monday said it is worried about the trend of some locals in the northeast declining to provide useful information to security agencies.
At least 43 farmers were killed in a deadly assault in Zabarmari, Borno on Saturday by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
The United Nations has said the death toll is as high as 110.
The attack was one of the latest in a series of violent events being reported across the northeast.
But military spokesman, Major-General John Enenche, while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said some local residents reduce the military’s effectiveness to combat the insecurity scourge in the region by not providing relevant information.
“That has been our worry,” he said. “It’s a concern to us. You need a guide, you need information. Will they tell us? That’s a question that we have to ask. Yes, sometimes. And most times, no. And that was one of the issues we have been ensuring to overcome, with civil-military cooperation activities, reaching out to them, even sending people by proxy to talk to them.
“Those are the things that have been one of the banes of the final success in the whole of this operation.
“Our patrols will pass through a route, in a village. By the time you are going, some people are looking at you. When you are coming back, the next thing is that you meet an IED planted on the road. And people saw them, they won’t tell you. So that’s the area I think we are all working together as stakeholders.
“And it is not possible to force information out of people. It’s not possible, just like they say you force a horse to the river, but not to drink water. So all we are trying to do is to build up their confidence in the system and encourage them that look, this is not good for you. Now they do not expect that this will happen, even those ones that they deceived, that they are preaching to them.”
43 Bodies Counted, Yet
Responding to the United Nation’s report on Sunday that 110 people had been killed in the Zabarmari attack, Enenche said the military’s casualty count still stood at 43.
“I have to respond, it is coming from the United Nations,” he said. “This is a source that identified itself that 110 persons specifically were killed.”
According to him, military officials accompanied Governor Babagana Zulum to the site of the killings where the 43 bodies were counted.
But some persons had earlier fled the scene, as they tried to escape the onslaught.
The spokesman added that the military is still searching for casualties.
“Probably we may count up to the figure he gave in the future,” Enenche said. “But as it is, up till the time I came here, what we have counted with the locals is still 43. And we are hoping that we don’t get beyond that. So that’s the real situation.”
Replacing the Service Chiefs
The Zabarmari attack has intensified calls for the nation’s service chief to be sacked.
The hashtag #SackTheServiceChiefs was one of the top trending topics on the social media site Twitter on Monday morning.
When asked what the Military’s position was on the issue of refreshing the military top hierarchy, Enenche declined to respond.
“You are not being fair to me, asking me that question about change of service chiefs,” he said. “It is beyond me.”
FILE: A screen grab from the Air Force video shows the scene of the airstrikes on Boko Haram Logistics Base in Borno State. Credit: Defence Headquarters.
The military on Saturday said it has neutralised several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and destroyed their hideouts.
According to a statement signed by spokesman John Enenche, the airstrikes were carried out on Friday by a new subsidiary operation of Operation Lafiya Dole tagged ‘Wutar Kabir II’.
The airstrikes, the military said, were carried out after series of aerial surveillance missions had confirmed the terrorist’s location.
“The Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has neutralized several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and destroyed their hideouts at Ngwuri Gana, along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe axis, as well as at Tumbuma Baba on the fringes of Lake Chad, both in the Northern part of Borno State,” the military’s statement said.
“The coordinated attacks launched by the Air Task Force, employing an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships, resulted in the destruction of some of the terrorists’ structures as well as the neutralization of several ISWAP fighters.”
