Troops Battle Boko Haram In Sambisa, Alagarno

Fighting is still going on in the Boko Haram camps in Sambisa Forest and Alagarno. A source close to the military told LEADERSHIP that the operation to completely rid the areas of any traces of the insurgents was still going on in those places and that there was a heavy exchange of gunfire. The source, however, said that the troops were having an upper hand over the insurgents.

The military had announced Tuesday that its troops had cleared Alagarno of the insurgents in an operation where the troops inflicted huge casualties on them and recovered heavy weapons.

Last month, the troops were also reported to have carried out airstrikes on the insurgents’ stronghold in Sambisa Forest leading to their complete decimation and military takeover of Sambisa Forest as well as adjoining towns and villages.

When contacted by LEADERSHIP on the raging battle in Sambisa and Alagarno, defence spokesman, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade confirmed the report, saying that the operation to contain the terrorists had not ended.

“The operation to contain the terrorists has not been declared ended. There is still a lot of ongoing offensive action against the remaining terrorists in the form of attacks, pursuit, cordon and search as well as aggressive patrols and mop-up operations.”

He further disclosed that troops had further cleared the terrorists from two communities, Yamteke and Bita.

“The final onslaught is on. That general area remains operational area. Between yesterday evening and now, troops have cleared two communities, Yamteke and Bita, where mop up is now ongoing,” Olukolade said.