In a strategically planned seven-day operation in the Bama area of Borno State, troops, special forces, members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) and local hunters “neutralised” at least 35 insurgents, captured 300, including some of their collaborators and informants, and rescued more than 1,500 captives, mostly women and children.

A top commander – identified only as Salafi – was among those killed. Another commander, Alhaji Ba’ana, was captured.

The 21 Armored Brigade of Operation Hadin Kai in Bama and the 199 Special Forces Battalion worked with members of the CJTF and local hunters in a massive swoop on insurgents in the Sambisa Forest where there are a number of camps and hideouts.

The operation began three days before the Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Monday, April 17, and ended on Sunday, April 23.

Abba Wallasa, a CJTF member who took part in the special operation, told RNI that the troops, special forces and CJTF members were proud of their “massive victory”.

“The operation took seven days. We began the massive onslaught against the insurgents on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, where we raided and destroyed camps and hideouts. Some of the places we raided are Bula Borraye, Bula yayaye, Mbole and Bula yaga-yaga, a town that connects the local government areas of Bama, Konduga and Damboa.

“We killed at least 35 Boko Haram [Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)] insurgents, including one commander, and captured another. Many of the insurgents were severely wounded and I don’t think they would have survived for long. We also seized many weapons.

“We rescued at least 1,500 people, mostly women and children. They are taking refuge in various camps and in host communities in the Bama Local Government Area.

“Unfortunately, one of the CJTF members paid the supreme price and lost his life. Others sustained various degrees of injuries.”

Wallasa said they had killed a top commander, Salafi, and had captured another.

“Some of the insurgents we captured gave us useful information that led to the arrest of their collaborators and informants in Bama town. We captured 300 insurgents and some of their collaborators and informants. The military and CJTF members are now in Gulumba town and will be carrying out a clearance operation there soon.”

He said no one should collaborate with the insurgents in any way because there were ongoing counterinsurgency operations not only in Borno State but in all parts of northeastern Nigeria and “they will be caught”.

“I also urge the community leaders, traditional rulers, youth and women activists, as well as religious leaders, to educate and enlighten the public about the dangers and consequences of supporting the insurgents.”

A resident of Bama town, who asked to remain anonymous, told RNI that the whole community was “extremely excited about this massive victory recorded by our gallant soldiers and the CJTF members”.

He said if these special operations and victories continued, “we are 100% optimistic that very soon we will be able to restart our businesses and farming activities in those hard-to-reach areas”, adding that most of the residents were farmers.

“I urge active insurgents fighting in the forest to lay down their arms and surrender because life in the bush is difficult and challenging. There is famine and thirst. They will not be able to survive the ongoing military onslaughts. There are already many repentant insurgents living here in Bama town. It is the right time for those living in the bush to surrender.”

Abubakar Kawu Monguno, a public affairs analyst and a senior lecturer at the University of Maiduguri, told RNI it was known that some citizens worked as informants for the JAS and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), giving them classified and useful information about the activities of the military and other security operatives where they lived. Some even conducted business with the insurgents, selling them food and other essential items.

“Without citizens’ collaboration, Boko Haram would not have been able to defeat the Nigerian Army as they did in the past. That’s why it is so important for the military and other security operatives to root out collaborators and informants during their counterinsurgency operations.

“One of the reasons the Nigerian Army changed the name of the theatre operation in the northeast from Operation Lafiya Dole [Operation peace must be restored] to Operation Hadin Kai [Operation Unity] was to bring citizens together. The military understands that the war against insurgency is made more difficult without the support of the locals. All citizens, particularly those in rural areas, should support the military and other security operatives in the fight against Boko Haram or ISWAP insurgents to ensure sustainable peace, stability and security.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO