Against
the backdrop of evidence that Boko Haram commander, Mohammed Bashir, who has
beenimpersonating the late sect leader, Abubakar Shekau in videos was killed
on September 17, by Nigerian soldiers, the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has
warned that any other person or leader who emerges using the name ‘Shekau’
will receive the same treatment.
The warning was made just as
135 members of the terrorist group have surrendered to troops in
Biu, Mairiga-Buni Yadi as
well as Mubi-Michika towns.
Briefing the media on current
developments in the Counter Terrorism Campaign yesterday, Director of Defence
Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said, “Since
the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists leader, the Nigerian
military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that
designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom
and territory of Nigeria”.
Disclosing that many of the
insurgents have been surrendering to the Nigerian troops, Olukolade said, “A
total of 135 terrorists on Tuesday evening surrendered with equipment, to
troops around Biu local government area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at
Mairiga-BuniYadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in, around
Mubi-Michika”.
He said they are all being
interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best
practices”.
Explaining how the operation
was going on, General Olukolade said, “Nigerian troops have
been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts
at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country”.
“Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists in
continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over
communities around Maiduguri which is their prime target. There was
therefore the need to ensure that communities such as Konduga were protected”.
“It is noteworthy that the terrorists made not less
than four attempts between 12 and 17 September 2014 to violate the security and
enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities. Air and land forces were
subsequently deployed to handle the situation”.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’
mission that involves their top commanders were fiercely engaged by the land
and air forces. Several of the terrorists including some of their
commanders lost their lives in the encounters which lasted an average of about
5 hours each. The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment”.
“In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir
who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the
eccentric character known as leader of the group died”.
Continuing he said, “Since
the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’
leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who
assumes that designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to
violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria”.
“On restoring normalcy after the encounter, inhabitants
of the community who were victims of terrorists activities corroborated
information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau; alias
Abacha Abdullahi Geidam; alias Damasack; etc. Indeed, the recent
devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed
commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country”.
“Meanwhile, a total of 135 terrorists have yesterday
evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu Local Government
Area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun –
Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi –
Michika. They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with
the dictates of standard best practices”.
“The Defence Headquarters applauds the gallantry of the
Nigerian troops who have remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting
this campaign against terror. The keen interest exhibited by our neighbours and
allies is commendable and we appreciate them”.
“All allies in the war against terrorism are hereby
assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to maintain
momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists. The invaluable
efforts toward achieving sustainable peace and victory against the terrorists
are highly appreciated”.
“It is nevertheless necessary to alert all citizens
that there is still the need for even more vigilance and cooperation with the
security forces. Everybody is required to remain alert to ensure that we
are not taken unawares by terrorist elements who might want to carry-out
isolated attacks in any part of our country”.
On the true position of the
Chibok girls presently, the DDI said all efforts were still ongoing to secure
the release of the girls noting that the military will not relent until the
girls are secured.
Asked to comment of
allegations by Cameroonian military authorities that they were responsible for
the death of the imposter Shekau, Olukolade said, “To
the best of our knowledge, we can say categorically that no foreign force of
any type penetrated our country’s borders up to
Konduga which is just about 35 kilometers to Maiduguri”.
On the situation in Bama and
Gwoza, the DDI said, “I want to repeat what the Defence headquarters have
been saying all along. We have not conceded any part of this country and we won’t
do so. All these areas still remain part and parcel of our operational areas
and the operation is still ongoing”.
On why Nigerian troops were
now having upper hand over the terrorists in the battle, Olukolade said, “Training
and more training has been going on; equipment and more equipment has been
coming in. It will keep coming in. There is also a new resolve to deal with all
these nonsense once and for all”
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