Distress call saved Lake Chad communities from terrorists —Army

The Defence Headquarters has said a timely distress call saved communities around Lake Chad area in Borno State from being attacked by terrorists, who had besieged the areas in search of food.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Major-General Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information.
The statement said the terrorists, who were heavily armed, scampered for safety on sensing the approach of troops, before they could carry out their mission.

It said the troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force on patrol of the area had recovered some arms and ammunition left behind by the fleeing terrorists.
“Cordon and search of the area is continuing, with a view to apprehending any of the terrorists that could be lurking around,’’ he said.
The statement added that the assault on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa forests and surrounding locations would continue.
According to the statement, operational activities around Wala, Gwoza, Pulka and environs had been intensified.
“Encounters resulting from air and land strikes and an ambush of troops on patrols in the area have resulted in the death of scores of terrorists and loss of five soldiers, including an officer,’’ the statement added.
Meanwhile, a troop of soldiers in masks stormed the Jimeta Shopping Complex situated in the heart of  Yola, the capital of Adamawa State on Tuesday, arresting 17  persons suspected to  be members of Boko Haram.
The shopping complex, with a capacity of 500 shops and stores, has been tagged  by residents as an enclave for hoodlums, following reports of incessant  criminal activities in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the masked soldiers stormed the shopping complex at about 1.00pm and started arresting people they had already targeted, including men of the Civilian JTF helping the military in their operations against members of Boko Haram.
However, the Federal Government has approved the acquisition of new fighter aircraft and helicopter for the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the upgrade of some of their existing platforms to enable the service to perform it roles.
The chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, who disclosed this on Tuesday, while announcing the activities lined up to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Air Force, said the service had grown from a small service with few platforms to one with over 17 aircraft types and still growing.
According to him, “the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force is coming on the heels of national Centenary celebrations and 50 years of loyal and dedicated service to the nation is by no means a small feat.”
The Chief of Air Staff noted that the Nigerian Air Force had continued to play a critical role in ensuring the security of Nigeria’s air space, which could be attributed to the discipline, coverage and determination of the officers, air men and air women in the service.
Also, the defence Headquarters has described a  statement allegedly issued by the Secretary General of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, alleging extra-judicial killing of Muslims and people of Fulani ethnic group by the Nigerian military as “spurious and inflammatory.”
A statement by DHQs spokesman, Major-General Olukolade on Tuesday, in Abuja, said much as the military was reluctant to join issues with a respectable religious organisation like JNI, the need to set the records straight made the response imperative.
“The Nigerian military remains non-partisan, non-sectarian and will continue to be the symbol of patriotism and a unifying factor in the face of threats to national sovereignty.  If this wild allegation was meant to cause disaffection or brew disharmony within the military, then it has woefully failed, as the Nigerian military does not operate along religious or ethnic lines.
“Contrary to the false claims, no law abiding individual, faith, ethnic group or organisation is being targeted as alleged by JNI.
“It is unfortunate that the unjust imputation is coming from respectable and responsible organisation like JNI.
“We urge the body not to join in the fray of propagandists bent on discrediting  genuine efforts at finding solutions to the nation’s security challenges,” he stated.
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