Nigeria Military: over 600 insurgents killed in one month

military

As the military intensifies the battle against Boko Haram, there were indications yesterday that over 600 insurgents have been killed in one month.

It was also claimed that since the emergence of new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari no single territory in Nigeria is being occupied or proclaimed.

But a major challenge being faced by the military is that of suicide bombers who might be operating with insiders within some communities.

PRNigeria, a military covert media channel for the war against Boko Haram in an update said.

 “Even as there is little information flowing from the military about their ongoing operations against terrorism in the North-Eastern parts of the country, several sources have confirmed to PRNigeria that over 600 terrorists must have been killed in the last one month while other insurgents are finding life extremely difficult.

“A top security officer said while the terrorists have engaged in guerrilla tactics of using vulnerable girls and young men for suicide attacks on soft targets, we ensure that their fighters do not escape as they continue to meet their waterloo in the hands of the troops.”

 The military also gave insights into why the insurgents have become more desperate in the past few weeks in attacking remote villages.

It also said a major challenge being faced by troops was the increasing number of suicide bombers, most of who are from some of the targeted communities.

The update added: “In their desperation to create fear among the citizens, the terrorists are now deliberately targeting remote villages where their former members who had renounced the sect membership are taking refuge.

 ”On the guerrilla tactics employed by the terrorists, the security source said “the major challenges we face is that of suicide bombers who might be operating with insiders within the communities”.

“There is no way we can identify potential terrorists or suicide bombers from their faces or movements. Some of them look as innocent as new born babies.”

The officer, therefore, urged residents to muster the courage by exposing suspects, strange objects or movements to the authorities.

The source added that since the emergence of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, no single territory in Nigeria has been occupied or proclaimed by the terrorists as their “Caliphate” “even as their leaders are either being killed, captured or on the run.”

PRNigeria claimed that both the Army and the Air Force troops have intensified counter-insurgency attacks on Boko Haram.

 ”One particular senior military source disclosed that both the Army and Air Force personnel are not relenting in the battle to rid the region of terrorism and are daily dealing ruthlessly with the enemies by killing them and destroying their vehicles, especially in recent operations, “ the update said.

 The PRNigeria, however, said the relentless campaign against the Nigerian military by Amnesty International (AI) was dampening troops’ morale.

 It said: “Nonetheless, very senior officers and military psychologists have revved up their efforts in assuring combatants that AI reports were meant exactly to achieve that same negative objective of dampening morale and so, they must never allow the enemies of Nigeria to win.

“ The Nigerian Air Force continues to conduct their regular missions while soldiers conduct raids on suspected terrorists’ hideouts.”