Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has urged the Nigerian military to sustain and intensify its offensive against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following recent deadly attacks in parts of Borno State that claimed the lives of soldiers, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and civilians.
At least 25 people were killed when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a town in Borno, State, relatives of victims said, the deadliest reported Islamist attack since U.S. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Christmas Day, noted Reuters.
Ndume, in a statement yesterday, also condoled the Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the CJTF and families of victims killed during a confrontation with terrorists in Sabon Gari Village, Damboa Local Government Area.
He expressed sympathy with residents of Harang and surrounding communities in Hawul Local Government Area, where a separate attack led to the death of one person and the destruction of houses and other property.
The Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force OPHK, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, had in an earlier statement disclosed that troops neutralised several ISWAP fighters during the encounter and recovered arms and ammunition.
However, the operation also resulted in fatalities among soldiers of Sector 2, CJTF members and civilians.
It was learnt that many of the civilians killed were indigenes of Biu and casual workers on the Wajiroko Bridge along the Biu–Maiduguri–Damboa Road, which had been previously destroyed by terrorists.
Biu, Damboa and Hawul are all local government areas within the Southern Borno Senatorial District represented by Ndume.
In his condolence message, the Senator, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, called on the military not to be discouraged by what he described as “pockets of terrorist attacks” but to remain resolute in ending the over 16-year insurgency in the North-east.
Ndume said, “Let me commiserate with the troops of Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and families of those killed during the encounter with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Sabon Gari village of Damboa Local Government Area.
“I want to urge the military, especially troops of OPHK, not to be deterred by these attacks, but to remain committed and steadfast in order to end the over 16-year war,” he added.
Ndume commended Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, the military and other security agencies for what he described as their unwavering sacrifices and sustained clearance operations in terrorist strongholds such as the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle and Mandara Mountains.
According to him, recent operations in these areas have delivered “decisive blows on many Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and their commanders in the last one month.”
He prayed for the repose of the souls of fallen soldiers, CJTF members and civilians, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“I pray to Allah to grant eternal rest to the souls of departed soldiers, CJTF and innocent civilians killed, and quick recovery to those injured,” he said.
The Senator renewed his call on the federal government to further equip the armed forces with modern military hardware, including fighter jets and drones, to enhance their operational capacity.
He also advocated the immediate payment of all entitlements and benefits to families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Ndume further appealed to residents of Borno State and the wider North-east to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
“The fight against terrorism should not be left in the hands of government and security agencies alone. It requires the collective effort of all,” he stressed.
Some of the victims were labourers who had travelled to Sabon Gari town in Borno State to work at a construction site, when gunmen swept in on Thursday and opened fire, relatives Hassan Usman and Auwal Isa told Reuters.
It quoted Ndume as saying that he was “shocked and saddened” by the killing of his constituents.
In a separate militant attack, also on Thursday in Borno, at least nine soldiers and two members of a civilian task force assisting them were killed by fighters who launched a pre-dawn assault on an army base. Sixteen people were wounded.
Borno, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have intensified attacks on military convoys and civilians, remains the epicentre of the 17-year Islamist insurgency.
Nigeria, plagued by Islamist attacks and mass kidnappings, is under additional pressure to restore security since Trump accused it last year of failing to protect Christians. US forces struck what they described as terrorist targets on December 25. The Nigerian authorities say they are cooperating with Washington to improve security.
