The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday, announced that the military has reclaimed Pulka, another town in Borno State, which had been under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents
The DHQ also confirmed that it foiled suicide bombing missions in the state, as two female bombers blow themselves up, while a male suicide bomber, who disguised as female was arrested by troops.
A statement through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja, said that Pulka was freed on Monday evening with troops taking full control, after a fierce battle with terrorists, who had been operating in the town.
Pulka, according to DHQ served as one of the terrorists’ major access to the Mandara Mountains and supply route out of the country and link towards Cameroon.
DHQ said: “Cordon and search has commenced after the air and land operation that overpowered the terrorists.
“Also in the mission area, a male terrorist suspect, who disguised himself as a lady fully dressed in hijab was nabbed by vigilant troops as he made for a mission to kill innocent citizens in Kwaya Kusar Market in Borno State on Saturday.
“He is currently in custody and has already given useful information on the mode of their operations.
“In another development, the mission of two female suicide bombers was yesterday aborted by troops in Aouno, also in Borno State.
“They however succeeded in blowing themselves up with no military or civilian casualty as they apparently intended to.”
The DHQ assured that the mission against terror was continuing until the military rids the country of terrorists.
In a related development, Senator Mohammed Ndume yesterday expressed optimism that the military will liberate Gwoza from Boko Haram insurgents very soon.
Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, expressed this optimism during a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said the military had demonstrated high sense of patriotism in its recent anti-terrorism war.
“In the last five weeks, the military had performed creditably by reclaiming 22 communities from the insurgents.
“I believe that the remaining communities will be reclaimed in the shortest possible time.
“Gwoza, which is the stronghold of the insurgents, will be reclaimed any moment from now, going by recent developments.
“I think that the soldiers deserve commendation for what they are doing,” Ndume said.
The senator also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for its efforts towards conducting free and fair elections.
“INEC is ready to conduct free and fair elections. About 80 per cent of voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards in readiness for the polls,” he added.
Meanwhile, political activities have picked up in Gujba and Gulani local government areas of Yobe State, recently liberated by troops from the control of Boko Haram insurgency.
Members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state have led a campaign train to the troubled Bara, headquarters of Gulani local government, which clearly attested to the return of peace in the area.
Residents, who lost homes and means of livelihood, have also cried out for help.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim said at the resumption of plenary, billed for 31st, March, she will table a motion for the provision of adequate relief materials to the affected persons.
The lawmaker also said she will press for huge presence of security operatives to the area so as to check future occurrence as well as special grand for reconstruction of destroyed houses, even as she praised the gallantry of security forces for the return of peace to the area.
Also speaking, a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Kukuwa, pleaded with concern authorities to allow elections to be conducted in the area instead of relocating polling stations to neighbouring Fika local government.
He expressed sadness with the devastation caused to houses and other valuables and expressed the hope that government at all levels and donor agencies and individuals will come to the aid of the affected persons.
