Troops Recover Eight More Towns In Yobe, Adamawa [See Photo]

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, has said that troops have recaptured more towns from the members of the Boko Haram sect.

Olukolade said in a statement on Friday that the troops handed out a crushing defeat to the insurgents and recovered the headquarters of Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, Bara, and the headquarters of Madagali Local Government area, Gulag, from them in the early hours of Friday.

He said that the troops also flushed out terrorists from other locations such as Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and Bumsa, during the two-day operation.

According to Olukolade, many insurgents were killed in the fierce fighting that preceded the liberation of the communities.

The Defence spokesman said that the troops recovered and destroyed several arms and ammunition, vehicles and other equipment.

According to him, the items recovered included anti-air craft guns, general purpose machine guns, barrel grenade launchers, rifles and mortar guns.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed confidence that troops would sustain the gains they have been recording in the fight against the Boko Haram sect.

He assured that the military would recover more territories seized by the terrorist group.

Jonathan gave the assurance when the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jacques Champagne De Labriolle, visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said the officers and men of the Nigerian Army he met on the frontline in Borno and Adamawa states on Thursday were in high spirits, well prepared and determined to successfully complete their operations against the terrorist group.

“We have already recovered much territory and very soon our troops will clear the terrorists out of other areas not presently under our control.”

Accepting a congratulatory message from President Francois Hollande to Nigeria for recent successes of its armed forces against Boko Haram, Jonathan restated Nigeria’s appreciation of France’s support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

He commended Hollande for organising the Paris Summit of Heads of State of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad in May 2014 to foster greater regional cooperation against terrorism and insurgency.

The President pledged that beyond the ongoing military campaign in the North-East, Nigeria would continue to implement all agreements reached at the summit to ensure lasting peace and security within its borders and in neighbouring countries.

Jonathan, however, reassured the international community of his commitment to free, fair and credible polls in the country next month.

The President wished the outgoing ambassador well in his future endeavours and urged him to always be a “good ambassador of Nigeria’’.

In his remarks, Labriolle said that France was “confident in the future of Nigeria and its ability to continue playing a huge role in Africa and world affairs.”

The ambassador also expressed delight at improved trade and economic ties between Nigeria and France in the last three years, noting that over 250 French companies are currently operating in Nigeria.