ARMY SCORES BIG AGAINST BOKO HARAM

The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that it had captured Alagarno, the `spiritual power base’ of the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

Maj.Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole who stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri. said; on 18 Mar 16 at about 0900 hrs troops of 3 and 7 Division commenced advance to capture Alagarno with a preparatory air bombardment by NAF.

“Advance was halted severally due to planted I.E.Ds along the routes leading to Alagarno. During the operations, troops cleared Yajiwa, Joba, Mosa, Ariwuzumari, Missene Sansan and Kagalmari villages. Our gallant troops finally entered Alagarno on 28 Mar 16 during which several BHTs were killed along the route.

“This operation demystified the BHT spiritual power base in Alagarno. Throughout the operation, the NAF monitored the operation, consistently resupplied the advancing troops as well as assisted in evacuating soldiers that were wounded in action.

He said that motorcycles which were inducted into the operation and launched by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen T.Y Buratai on 27 Feb 16 at Dambowa have been very useful in areas of road piquetting and for patrols among other tasks.

“Let me also state that troops in the Theatre have also been conducting clearing operations on a daily basis in the Theatre of Operation to destroy remnants of the terrorists still harbouring in some Local Government Areas as well as rescue civilians held in captivity. Clearing operations that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have conducted includes:

“Troops of 81 Task Force Battalion cleared and destroyed Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) camps at Komala, Dole, Kumasi and Maudori villages around the fringes of Alargano. Some insurgents were killed while 2 were arrested. In addition, 2 BHT Toyota pick-up vehicles, 40 motorcycles and fuel dumps were destroyed, he said.