Boko Haram: CDS in Northeast as governor visits victims

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Olonisakinis has started an operational visit of troops fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East

This follows the renewed attacks by the sect in the region, the latest being Tuesday’s suicide attack in a mosque in Mubi while led to the death of no fewer than 50 people.

A suicide bomber who disguised as a worshiper, blew himself up during early morning prayers at a Mosque in Dazala area of Mubi, causing the deaths.

The CDS visited the Military Command and Control Centre, and the Theatre Command of the Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri.

Theatre Commander Maj. -Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru said “We are to provide first-hand information on the operational activities in the theatre.

“The visit will avail the CDS with the opportunity to understand the issues, challenges and how to address them”

Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Bindow yesterday urged residents to be more security conscious to avert further suicide attacks.

He spoke when he visited victims of the Mubi bomb blast at the Federal Medical Centre in Yola.

He announced that he would hold a Security Council meeting in order to restore stable and secure environment.

He also said that he would reach out to the Mubi community and hold a meeting with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the area.

The Governor condemned the bomb attack, saying that he was saddened by the development.

He assured that the State Government would not relent in its responsibility of providing security to lives and property.

Chief Medical Director of the Hospital Prof. Auwal Mohammed, said that 16 victims of the attack were received by the centre.

Mohammed said that those with serious injuries were operated upon, and that their condition was stable.

The United States (U.S.0 yesterday condemned the suicide attack.

The U.S. Department of State in a statement by its Spokesperson Ms Heather Nauert, described the blast as a terrorist attack.

The U.S. extended its sincere condolences to the Nigerian people and the families of the victims killed in the attack.

“That the victims were targeted and killed in a place of worship demonstrates yet again the brutal nature of the terrorists whose sole aim is to threaten the peace and security of Nigerian citizens.

“Such ruthless attacks on innocent civilians only serve to strengthen our resolve towards meeting these threats in cooperation with our Nigerian and regional partners.”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said yesterday that its component of the Operation Lafiya Dole has successfully detroyed a facility being used by the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Director of Information and Public Relations Air  Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the facility was located in Yiwe, south of Konduga, Borno state.

Adesanya said in a statement supported with a video footage of the operation that the suicide bombing which rocked part of Maiduguri, Borno state capital on November 18 was planned from the Boko Haram Terrorists’ facility.

The statement reads: “In furtherance of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on 20 November 2017, successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) facility for manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

“The BHT facility, which was in a place known as YIWE Forest, located 23km south of Konduga in Borno State.

“Previous NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had revealed the location to be a BHT hideout, from where the Maiduguri suicide bombing of 18 November 2017 was reportedly planned.

“Available Human Intelligence also revealed that the hideout contained IED-making facility for the insurgents’ suicide bombing attacks.

“Accordingly, one Mi-17 Helicopter, 2 x Alpha Jet and 2 x F-7Ni aircraft were detailed to carry out air interdiction on the target over a 2-day period. Overhead the location, the aircraft took turns to deliver a combination of bombs, rockets and cannons on the target.

“The subsequent Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) revealed that the strikes had destroyed the IED-making facility and other BHT structures, killing an unspecified number of insurgents in the process. The air strikes also caused a huge flame within the settlement, owing to the cache of IEDs stored by the BHTs, while a few fleeing insurgents were further strafed with cannons and rockets”.

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