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Hundreds
of security forces have reached the border towns of Borno and Yobe states for
operations meant to flush out insurgents believed to have camped nearby, it was
learnt yesterday, a day after President Jonathan proclaimed a state of
emergency.
Men
of the Air Force, Army, Navy and State Security Service are involved in the
campaign in the two states which are the hotbeds of the Boko Haram uprising
that has caused the death of thousands since 2009.
Jonathan
declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on Tuesday, in
the wake of heightening violence in parts of the North.
Security
sources said that heavily equipped military teams arrived in some local
government areas that share the border with Niger and Cameroon yesterday so as
to “recapture localities subdued by terrorists.”
A
senior military officer involved with the operation said most of the troops
would be deployed to “volatile and highly threatened” localities where
insurgents have established illegal authorities and chased away local
officials.
People
in Maiduguri said they noticed movement of large military teams heading towards
Baga, Marte, Gubio and Gamboru Ngala in the early morning hours.
“I
saw many of them,” said a resident of Marte, a border town along the shores of
the Lake Chad. “They appear sophisticated and well equipped.”
Security
sources said on Sunday and Monday the military had carried out operations at
Sambisa Game Reserve in Borno State, where insurgents were reported to have set
up camps.
“A
similar operation was carried out there about two months ago where some
terrorists’ camps were uncovered,” a source said.
It
was learnt that Maiduguri itself will witness stepped up military operations
during the emergency rule, even though the city has less activity of insurgents
compared to the northern localities.
“Maiduguri
and Jere are effectively controlled by constituted authorities even though we
still have skirmishes,” a source said. “We hope to unravel all the camps and
hideouts of insurgents across Borno and the two other states in the next coming
days.”
Also
in Yobe State, troops were seen deploying to the border towns of Gaidam, Gashua
and Yusufari yesterday.
A
resident of Gaidam said they saw about 100 soldiers. “They drove through the
town in military TATA tanker and luxurious buses around 11.30am,” he said.
In
Gashua town, residents said they saw at least 20 military Hilux vans and an
armoured tank conveying troops.
“Some
of the Hilux vans drove through the road leading to Yusufari, a border town
where the insurgents usually come from to launch attacks,” resident Yau Aminu
said.
“About
10 Hilux vans loaded with soldiers went to the banks and asked them to close
down,” he added.
In
the Yobe State capital Damaturu, our correspondent observed intensified
stop-and-search being conducted at check points but there was no noticeable
increase in troops deployment. Also, activities in Damaturu went on normally,
as markets, schools and other public places opened for business.
Meanwhile,
the defence headquarters in Abuja yesterday confirmed that troops were deployed
in the north-eastern border towns in search of insurgents.
Defence
spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said in a statement: “In
furtherance of the Commander-in-Chief’s directive, the Nigerian Armed Forces,
the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have commenced operations
to rid the nation’s border territories of terrorist bases and activities.
The military operation will focus on tracking down criminal elements within the
vicinity of border communities prone to terrorist activities.
“The
operations which will involve massive deployment of men and resources aimed at
asserting the nation’s territorial integrity and enhancing the security of
constituted governmental structures in all territories within Nigeria’s
borders.
“The
operational plans have also briefed participating troops appropriately on
arrests, cordon and search especially directed at apprehending those who have
been violating sovereignty of Nigeria through terrorist training for insurgency
and related activities. The operation is expected to put an end to
insurgent activities in these parts of the country.
“The
defence headquarters assures law abiding citizens that every effort has been
put in place to ensure safety of civilians and non-combatants while the
operation last. All citizens are enjoined to cooperate with troops and supply
necessary information on criminal and terrorist activities or movement in their
locality as the operation is intended to safeguard the nation’s interests and
citizens in all parts of the federation.”
The
National Assembly is expected to discuss and approve Jonathan’s proclamation
today, as required by the constitution.
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