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Boko Haram: Soldiers Invade Sambisa Forest
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on ICT, Engr. GoodLiffe Nmekini (right) presenting ipads to HOD Paediatrics BMSH, Dr. Ajibola Alabi (middle). With them are, Dr Josephine Aiyafo. Photo: Egberi .A. Sampson
The military has commenced an operation in Sambisa Forest in Borno State to flush out Boko Haram insurgents.
The forest is widely believed to host some of the training camps and facilities of Boko Haram in the North-East.
It was learnt that the military high command decided to invade the vast forest in order to make the North-West safe for the general elections.
A reliable source in the Army told our source that Air Force jets started the raid on Monday, adding that surveillance activities and raids were also ongoing as of the time he spoke on Wednesday.
The source, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak on the development, said that massive ground operations would follow the aerial bombardments.
He said, “The military started an operation in the Sambisa Forest on Monday. For now, there are no specific cases of arrest; we don’t have that information now. The Air Force has been operating in the area since Monday. It is after that that the ground troops who are on red alert would be moved in.”
Also, a source close to an office strategic to the operations said that a lot of activities were going on simultaneously in the forest and other parts of the North-East believed to host Boko Haram camps.
He explained that the military was combing the forest because of intelligence reports that some of the insurgents who were dislodged from some communities in the North-East were moving back to the forest.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, could not be reached for comments on the raids as calls to his mobile did not connect.
Meanwhile, 800 children from areas affected by insurgency in Adamawa State are currently undergoing psychotherapy in the state.
Executive Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education, Bello Furo, who made this known, explained that the psychotherapy was to minimise the trauma faced by the children whose parents were either gunned down or slaughtered by Boko Haram insurgents.
He said, ”The process will take some time because most of the parents were slaughtered before their children. Right now, they do not have anybody to cater for them; they lost their parents as a result of the insurgency.”
Similarly, at least seven people were killed and 20 injured when a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a busy market in the town of Biu, northeast Nigeria, witnesses said yesterday.
Zakka Emmanuel, who was at the scene said, “I counted seven people (dead) at the spot and more than 20 others are seriously bleeding. Shops were also affected by the blast.
A trader, Auwal Yusuf gave an identical toll and both said that the bomber may have been disguised as a passenger in a van loaded with goods and people.
“There has been a suicide attack by a female suicide bomber in the market this afternoon,” said Babagani Ali, who lives in the Borno town 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of state capital Maiduguri.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
