Army recaptures Damboa, four other Borno villages

The Defence Headquarters has said that the Special Forces involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism operation against the Boko Haram insurgents had retaken five communities in Borno State from the militants.

A statement on the Defence Headquarters Official website, defenceinfo.mil.ng, listed the communities said to have been cleared of insurgents to include, Damboa, Delwa. Wanga, Manga and Mustafari.

It was stated that the operation which commenced early in the week was designed to apprehend all terrorists and restore normalcy to the affected areas.

The statement added that the Special Forces were in the pursuit of the remnant of insurgents in a mop of exercise which followed the operation which lasted over 40 hours. It was further stated that several civilians are feared killed in the face off between the soldiers and the insurgents in Gwoza.

The Special Forces are said to be engrossed in a battle to flush the insurgents out of Gwoza.

The statement said that the Special Forces were making additional efforts to protect the civil populace during the operation.

“Special Forces in the on going counter-terrorism campaign have cleared Delwa, Mustafari, Manga, Wanga and Damboa of terrorists who have been rampaging in the communities.

“The special operation which began early in the week is meant to restore law and order to the area and apprehend all terrorists who have been operating in the locality.

“The operation which has so far lasted 40 hours has dove-tailed into the mop up phase during which the remnants of insurgents are being cleared from the communities.

“The mop up phase will also ascertain the casualties as additional efforts are also been made to ensure the protection of innocent civilians during the operation.

“Meanwhile, troops are also involved in manoeuvres to apprehend terrorists who have been attacking Gwoza and surrounding localities since Tuesday causing the death of many civilians.” The statement read.

Investigations revealed the a Lt. Col. was among those killed in face off which also resulted in the death of many of the insurgents.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, refused to speak on the brutal confrontation between the Special Forces and the insurgents when he was asked by journalists.

The CDS also declined to comment on the reports about the Emir of Gwoza, His Royal Majesty, Mohammed Timta, who was said to be missing after the gruelling attack on the town