Balmo forest raid: Troops recover weapons from underground armouries

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said that the ‘’mopping up operations in Balmo forest,’’ overrun by troops leading to the dislodgemnt of Boko Haram insurgents earlier had led to ‘’more discoveries of arms stockpiled in underground cells in the forest.’’

This was contained in a statement entitled, ‘’Balmo Forest Operation: Troops unearth more

weapons from underground armouries,’’ signed by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Genl Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade said, ‘’Troops who have been excavating various sites in the forest in search of hidden weapons, have so far recovered over 10 rifles along with parts and accessories as well as more than 80 General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMG, tubes of Rocket Propelled Grenades, RPGs, and launchers, cables and wires (for making of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs) and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.

’’Also recovered in the search are uniforms of security agencies including protective clothing.

‘’Meanwhile, suspects captured in the forest have been taken into custody and are volunteering information linking the(ir) activities in the forest with other terrorist activities in the country. The mopping up operation continues.’’

Security expert urges military to sustain onslaught against Boko Haram

Also renowned Security expert Dr. Ona Ekhomu has urged the military to intensify and sustain its onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists in order to “bring back our girls” and halt the incessant killing of Nigerians.

Reacting to the successful security operation that dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the Balmo Forest in Bauchi State recently resulting in the killing of 44 terrorists, Ekhomu said: ‘’It is obvious the military is making giant strides towards defeating the terrorists and bringing an end to extremist violence in the county”.

Dr. Ekhomu who is President of the Association of Industrial Security Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) advised military commanders and combatants to set aside sentiments while combating the insurgents.

He said: “fighters are fighters from hell and do not mean us well.” He said that foreign fighters were embedded with the Nigerian terrorists and are intent on destroying Nigerian lives and assets.

He said, the military must see BH fighters as “the enemy”, and ensure that mission-focus is maintained in order to rid Nigeria of the scourge of terrorism. Ekhomu warned that the recent intensification of attacks by BH including the Emab Plaza bombing, the Nyanyan bombings, the seizure of over 200 school girls in Chibok signified the audacity of the terrorists who feel that they can over-awe the Nigerian government and people and seize territory like they have done in Mali and Iraq.

He said the Al Qaeda brand must not be allowed to flourish in Nigeria.

Ekhomu described BH bombing of TV viewing centers, hotels and markets in the Northeast as “Satanic acts”, and said that citizens must become vigilant in order to detect IEDs before they detonate. He advised the military to publish tips hotlines for information relating to BH and urged the Federal Government to establish a “Rewards for Justice Program” that would provide reward money of a minimum of N5million for information leading to the arrest and capture of any BH fighters. He said that SUREP funds could pay for the “reward for justice program”.