Yobe massacre: We killed and arrested the Boko Haram attackers – Defence HQ confirms

 

Hours after our exclusive report that some Boko Haram militants that attacked the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe state were fished out and “exterminated”

, Nigeria’s defence headquarters yesterday at a press briefing on the security situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, confirmed that it recently killed fleeing terrorists.

A close source within the security circles Thursday afternoon told DailyPost that it was “discovered that some locals collaborated with the militants. After the attack, they entered the community and ‘blended’ with the villagers.

“But the soldiers were able to fish out dozens of the extremists. Immediate extermination was carried out, but you don’t expect the military to come out and announce such.

“By convention, the military cannot admit ‘merciless retaliation’ as it is called,” our source added.
On allegations that the soldiers may have deliberately move away from the community, the source advised those making the claims to get their facts right to avoid heightening an already tensed situation.

In a statement yesterday evening, the DHQ said it acknowledges with grave concern the recent mindless killing of innocent school children and other citizens in towns and villages following terrorist activities in some parts of the North East.

It said the dastardly act has expectedly attracted the reaction of well-meaning individuals who have been condemning the senseless bloodletting.

The statement signed by Chris Olukolade, stated that disturbing as the trend proves, the fact remains that the chilly episodes are simply typical of terrorists intention to intimidate the people into subscribing to their false claim to invincibility.

Continuing, “This distressing situation notwithstanding, it must be pointed out that the current activities of the terrorist groups is actually at best a reaction to the renewed offensive against the terror outfit whose operatives had infiltrated the country to support their hitherto depleted membership and counterparts in their daring acts to reinvent relevance by embarking on renewed attacks on soft targets.”

The spokesman explained that it had become important to keep the citizens abreast of the military’s counter terrorism campaign in the country.

“The new approach marks another phase in the operations designed to further contain the terrorists and their activities. The specialized campaign which has commenced is being undertaken simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States. This operation is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of Nigeria as they are now so desperate to do.

“Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of their flight towards various borders, continued to perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of Adamawa state yesterday night where they attacked communities. In desperation for money and food, they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling stations along their way through Michika as they headed for Cameroon border. Six of their fighters were killed two captured while nine of their vehicles were destroyed; one soldier and three civilians also died in the encounter.

“It is believed that those involved in this latest attacks are the elements that perpetrated the mayhem against students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and other places. They have been holed up and are still engaged in suicidal fighting apparently with a view to attaining martyrdom status, as troops close in on the die-hard ones among them.

Olukolade appealed to residents in affected States, particularly towards the border areas, to assist the security forces by reporting any movement of the group if noticed in their locality. “All things being equal, the activities of this murderous group will be further degraded towards total elimination shortly.”

The statement enjoined citizens to show understanding of the situation and continue to cooperate with the security forces, especially with vital and timely information on the movements of terrorists to enable quick response accordingly.