The Nigerian military has again shown that it has the capacity to crush Boko Haram and other terrorist franchises operating in the fringes of the Lake Chad region and elsewhere in the country, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said.
The group said this is obvious from the manner that troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole put down ISWAP’s audacious attempt to overrun Damboa, a town located 85 kilometres from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said the troops proved that the Nigeria Armed Forces have all it takes to repel any threat to the nation’s sovereignty.
“As Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum said, we are impressed with the manner the Army and Air Force components of the Operation Lafiya Dole worked in unison for five hours to foil the attack by insurgents who stormed the town from different directions.
” We are also elated that rather than rest on their oars after killing the invaders and sending the remnants of ISWAP fighters retreating from Damboa, the troops still went after fleeing insurgents and inflicted more damage on them.
“When the dust of battle settled, the invaders that came with about 30 gun trucks, lost 19 of them.
“And for the Governor who had appeared quite critical of military operations of late to be so effusive in his praise of the troops to the extent of using superlative words, shows that the soldiers and the airmen that repelled the ISWAP attack on Damboa did exceptionally well.
” We view that performance as a reflection of the good job the military had been doing to ensure that terrorists operating in the land under different monikers are denied a hiding place in any part of the country.”
BMO also acknowledged that local support was essential for the military to stop the invasion of the town located close to the Sambisa Forest.
“This is exactly what President Muhammadu Buhari demanded from residents of the state, a few weeks ago in the aftermath of the massacre of about 30 stranded commuters in Auno on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
“We recall that the President was emphatic that the locals should have an inkling about the movement of insurgents in their domain, and in this case when ISWAP wrote the community on its planned attack, it was gratifying that the military was informed on time.
“It is also worth noting that the support of the Civilian JTF and vigilantes was crucial in stemming the failed attack that began as early as 5 am on the day, though two of the vigilante members were said to have paid the supreme price.
” We are convinced that with more cooperation and coordinated efforts like the one witnessed in Damboa, terrorists planning to launch attacks on soft targets would not have it easy carrying out hit-and-run attacks any more,” it said.
The group urged Nigerians to show more solidarity with troops at the frontlines and elsewhere as they work towards ridding the country of terrorists and bandits.