Boko Haram Targets 4 Generals

 

By Fola James

Boko Haram nearly scored a high point on Tuesday after targetting three top Nigerian Army Generals, including the theatre commander of Operation Lafia Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.

The commander was ambushed by the insurgents, who fire heavy weapons including,  anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and some of their foot soldiers about 2 Kilometres to Auno in Kaga L.G.A of Borno while returning from Jakana where he visited troops’

Three other Generals,  Major Gen. MG Ali, Brig. Gen. E.I. Eze, Brig. Gen. S.I. Igbinomwany and other top military officers were with General Adeniyi during the attack.

Security analysts told the magazine that the insurgents were sending a strong message to the military that they will not relent in their attacks in the new year.

The misguided group has launched a couple of attacks in the state and Yobe state since the beginning of the year.

Meanwhile, the army said it was more prepared this year to totally eliminate remnants of the insurgents, who, the military said has been highly decimated.

Had the group succeeded in their operation, the troops fighting insurgency in the north east would have been demoralized, analysts say.

This suggestion came on the crest of attack by Governor Zulum of Borno state, on the troops, for collecting bribes from motorists.

The army had warned politicians from making comments that can demoralize the troops.

In spite of this, the military said they won’t relent until the north east is totally cleared of the insurgents.

Army spokesman, Colonel Aminu Iliyasus, in a statement after the attack on General Adeniyi said: “In a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on January 6, some marauding elements of the Boko Haram insurgents laid and eventually sprung an ambush against the convoy of the theatre commander operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.

The commander’s convoy came under the criminals ineffective and uncoordinated fire from anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and some of their foot soldiers about 2 Kilometres to Auno in Kaga L.G.A of Borno while returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his meeting with the governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Zulum at Auno.”

He commended the gallantry of the troops who repelled the deadly ataack

“In a commendable demonstration of bold action in battle, the theatre commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to engage the Boko Haram insurgents with superior fire power, subduing them, and thereafter, assaulting the ambush site with his men, thereby causing the criminal insurgents to flee the location in disarray. Other senior military officers in the theatre commanders’ convoy at the time of the ambush include the deputy theatre commander, Major Gen. MG Ali, Brig. Gen. E.I. Eze, Brig. Gen. S.I. Igbinomwanya and Lt A.A. Tejuoso. In the aftermath of the encounter, several Boko Haram insurgents were decimated. Additionally, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, 2 AK 47 rifles and 3 AK 47 rifle magazines were captured from the fleeing insurgents. Thereafter, Major Gen Adeniyi and his convoy continued their trip, and have since returned safely to headquarters. Regrettably, two soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter, ” he said.

The wounded, he stated “are currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility and are responding positively.

To this end, the theatre commander, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Turkur Yusufu Buratai congratulates the troops for their resilience and courage and urges them not to relent in their efforts until all the remnants of the Boko Haram and ISWAP criminal insurgents are completely annihilated and defeated.”

The attack on Gen Adeniyi was the third in the series of the terrorists ambushes on military commanders since the commencement of the counter-insurgency operations.

Boko Haram had attacked the convoy of Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai and former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army Maiduguri, Brig Gen Victor Ezegwu.