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Boko Haram Terrorists' Days Are Numbered, Army Says

November 23, 2016

The major general also announced that in total, troops have rescued 5,235 people from Boko Haram insurgents.

At a press briefing in Maiduguri held on Wednesday, Major General Leo Irabor lauded the Nigerian Army for the progress it has made in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued with the ongoing operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists,” Mr. Irabor told reporters. “Since our last interaction, our troops have conducted many operations with immense successes.”

In his address to the press, Mr. Irabor summarized the past two months of the counterterrorist operation.

From 28 October to 1 November 2016, the military killed 37 Boko Haram terrorists during clearance operations in Golgore, Doksa, Ajigin, and the surrounding areas. Seven troops sustained injuries.

In Mallam Fatori, alongside the Nigeria-Niger border, troops killed 14 terrorists in a two-hour gun battle on 4 November. Unfortunately, 7 soldiers died while 3 others were wounded.

On 6 November in Kangarwa, 13 insurgents were killed. One Nigerian troop was killed in the battle, while 4 others were injured.

The major general also announced that in total, troops have rescued 5,235 people from Boko Haram insurgents.

On 5 November, soldiers dispatched to Chukungudu in the Lake Chad region rescued 85 captives and killed 5 terrorists. Troops observed that several Boko Haram fighters fled into Lake Chad.

On 19 November, troops in Ngoshe and Gara rescued 63 Boko Haram hostages, 40 of whom were women.

While Mr. Irabor said recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri were “sad and unfortunate,” he said the attacks demonstrated Boko Haram’s weakness, as only 2 CJTF personnel were killed in the attacks.

“The incidents are only indicative of a weakened and defeated Boko Haram. Their ignoble failure is destined to fail totally,” he said.

Mr. Irabor concluded the conference by calling upon civilians to remain “alert and security conscious.” He commemorated those who lost their lives to the terrorists, but assured Nigerians that Boko Haram’s “miserable days are numbered.”

Read the full briefing here.

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