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Nigerian Military, Pressure Mounting, Claims To Have Stepped Up Air, Land Offensive Against Boko Haram

November 1, 2014

Nigeria’s military authorities said on Saturday they are deploying necessary troops and equipment aimed at reversing recent violation and breach of security by terrorists and criminals operating in parts of the country.  

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“The highly coordinated air bombardment is already yielding required results in the mission to repel the unwarranted attacks on citizens especially in Adamawa and Borno States as land forces are also conducting mopping up operations to apprehend retreating terrorists and facilitate restoration of normalcy in some of the affected communities,” they said in a statement signed by spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade, but no details were given. 

During the week, Boko Haram terrorists took Mubi, Adamawa State’s second-largest town.  Fifteen miles away, they also seized Vimtim, the hometown of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who is the military Chief of Defence Staff.

General Olukolade said the video purportedly released by the terrorists on Friday was being studied.  In it, the militia rejected the military’s earlier claim of ceasefire agreement.  They also said that the abducted Chibok secondary school girls who were supposed to have been released this week under the ceasefire, have converted to Islam and been married off.

“Further information on subsequent position on the issues involved will be released as appropriate in due course,” the statement said about the video.

The military will continue to accord due recognition to any ongoing mediatory efforts towards bringing our girls home and terminating the insecurity in parts of the country.” 

It assured citizens that the military and security agencies remain committed and optimistic about positive outcome of ongoing operations.