Troops kill top Boko Haram commanders –Army

…insurgents steal 200 cows, 300 sheep in Borno, says NEMA

Nigerian Army yesterday said two high-profile commanders of Boko Haram, had been killed by troops on clearance operation at Gambori in Borno State. This was as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday said Boko Haram insurgents came on a robbery mission on Saturday night at Bale Shuwa village in Jere Local Government of Borno State and made away with cows, sheep and goats.

The Army, which made the disclosure on its Twitter handle @HQNigerianArmy, said Abu Rajal and Tuja Sa’inna Banki, were neutralised by troops 25 Task Force on November 9. The Army said the development was well received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who commended the troops’ gallantry, while urging them to do more.

“Report just reaching Headquarters, Nigerian Army, has confirmed that two high profile BHT commanders named Abu Rajal and Tuja Sa’inna Banki were killed during the clearance operations. “The COAS, Lt Gen T. Y. Buratai, has commended the gallant troops and urged them to carry out further incursions and clearance operations to ensure that the remnants of the BHT are completely wiped out,” the Army said.

This was as it recalled that “troops of 25 Task Force Brigade Chibok and 28 Task Force Brigade Damboa, embarked on Joint Clearance Operations from Gumsuri to Gambori in Borno State.” It added that territories, where the November 9 operation was conducted, were liberated by the fighting troops. The Army had, over the weekend, announced the redeployment of 103 senior officers, including the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.

“The posting that affected 103 officers including Majors and Captains is aimed at injecting new hands to further actualise the vision of the Chief of Army Staff,” it added. Meanwhile, the NEMA North-East Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Bashir Garga, suspected Boko Haram members attacked Bale-Shuwa village in Jere Local Government Area about 7:30p.m. on Saturday. He said: “One disabled person was allegedly killed and 65 houses were burnt, while 200 cows, 300 sheep and goats were carted away.”

Garga added that those wounded in the attack were provided with treatment. According to him, humanitarian needs assessment is being conducted, to ensure mobilisation of immediate relief assistance to the victims. Normalcy, according to reports, has been restored in the area as people who had earlier fled the communities have returned to their homes after the military repelled the insurgents’ attack.