The immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has revealed that the acquisition of hitherto elusive weaponry in the last one year enabled the troops to have an upper hand against Boko Haram terrorists and the recovery of many local government areas that had been occupied by Boko Haram terrorists.
Sambo, whose homes in Abuja and Sokoto were invaded by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, in the week he left office named some of the deciding acquisitions to include Alpha jets, APCs, MRAP vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunition, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T-72 tanks and modified F7 supersonic jet fighters.
Speaking with PRNigeria, an information unit that co-ordinates activities of the security agencies, Dasuki said: “The armoured tanks have comprehensive NBC protection system, just as we deployed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicles that we bought and could withstand improvised explosive device, IED, attacks and ambushes. The vehicles had protected our troops from landmine threats.
“We are glad that we also provided assorted Armoured Personnel Carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. They are armed for self-defence and to provide protection from attacks from shrapnel and small arms fire.
“All these were acquired in the last one year after years of frustration by Western powers who denied us the equipment and sabotaged our efforts to acquire same from other sources which are reasons for some delay in delivery.”
We ensured Shekau did not disrupt polls
According to him, some other arms already paid for by the previous administration are due to be delivered soon.
He said: “It was unfortunate that some elements are frustrating the efforts as we even had to query some suppliers for delay in delivery of arms and ammunition. We utilised some of these equipment to recover more than 22 local governments under Boko Haram terrorists and ensured that Shekau did not disrupt the 2015 election as he had threatened. Not only did we ensure that the elections were peaceful, Shekau has never spoken to threaten anyone again since then.”
Responding to critics of the past administration on security issues, he said: “In an attempt to rubbish individuals for whatever reasons, political or otherwise, we should be careful not to rubbish sensitive institutions and their personnel that might still be in active service.
“It is unfortunate that some elements hide under the cover of anonymity in the media to rubbish some of the sacrifices we made. They should have the courage to come out publicly by identifying themselves with their baseless allegations. “
Troops discover IEDs making materials, kill 8 terrorists
Meanwhile, Nigerian troops, yesterday, made startling discovery of IEDs raw materials while combing and clearing terrorists in and around Dikwa, Borno State just as soldiers killed eight terrorists in Dumbuluwa village, Fika in Yobe State.
During the painstaking operation, the troops discovered a pile of street lamp poles cut into pieces by Boko Haram terrorists which they use in making Improvised Explosives Devices.
…recover 15 cows, 174 goats, donkey from rustlers
In another development, during a cordon and search operation in Jakana village the troops of 7 Division Garrison recovered 15 cows, 174 goats and a donkey from rustlers.
A statement from Army headquarters said: “The animals have since been handed over to their identified legitimate owners. The rustlers were apprehended and are currently undergoing investigation.”
Boko Haram fuel, food suppliers nabbed
Similarly, troops have at Jehu near Jakana, arrested Mai Mustapha, a fuel supplier to Boko Haram terrorists and Madu who coordinates buying of food items from neighbouring villages for the terrorists.
“Additionally, early this morning Nigerian troops blocked elements that attacked Dumbuluwa village in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State and had encounter with the terrorists.
“The gallant soldiers killed eight terrorists. Unfortunately, 2 vigilantes were wounded by Improvised Explosive Devices fragments.
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