19th August, 2015
Two key members of Boko Haram terrorist fleeing from the ongoing operations by the military have been arrested in Geidam, Yobe State, north-east Nigeria and are currently being interrogated, the Nigerian Army said on Wednesday.
Col. Sani Usman, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army who announced this in a statement also disclosed that two pick up vehicles were also seized from the fleeing insurgents.
The Army spokesperson also revealed that following reports about suspected movements and planned attack by Boko Haram terrorists around Damasak area, the Nigerian Air Force is conducting air surveillance and armed reconnaissance in the area.
Usman however insisted in the statement that the stories making the rounds of an alleged massacre and drowning of over a hundred civilians in Kukuwa-gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, cannot be substantiated.
He added that the troops are fully committed to the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and ensuring security for law-abiding citizens in the troubled areas.
In another statement, Usman also revealed that troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, Borno State, on Tuesday, August 18, engaged Boko Haram terrorists fleeing Sambisa Forest following continued aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force.
The fleeing terrorists in 7 pickup vans and some motorcycles mounted with assorted weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and Anti-Aircraft Guns, according to him, were decisively dealt with as quite a number of them were killed.
Usman also informed that troops also destroyed vehicles, weapons and motorcycles of the terrorists while they also recovered a vehicle, 1 motorcycle and 2 AK47 riffles and large quantities of 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm ammunition.
The Army spokesman further noted that the troops have intensified their patrols and offensive actions against the terrorists in the area.