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Thursday 14 August 2014

Army battle to retake gwoza as Boko Haram kills 20, kidnap women

Nigerian troops have massed around Gwoza to retake the town from members of the Islamist group, Boko Haram, military sources have disclosed. The battle for control of Gwoza rages as reports emerged that Boko Haram insurgents yesterday killed 20 people in Doro Baga in Kukawa local government area of Borno State. The residents of the embattled village also disclosed that the militants kidnapped several women in an early morning raid. Continue...


One military source in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the soldiers on the mission to recapture the town were drafted from Maiduguri and Mubi in Adamawa State. The officer added that special Army and Air Force units had been pounding Boko Haram positions since yesterday.
“Over 1000 soldiers are involved in this operation to take Gwoza back from Boko Haram,” said the officer, adding that the troop commanders were confident of dislodging the insurgents in a matter of hours or days.

A resident of Bama, which is 35 miles from Gwoza, told SaharaReporters that he had observed a large contingent of troops moving towards Gwoza in the last 24 hours. He also stated that he had heard gunfire overnight.

Boko Haram insurgents overran Gwoza last week, killing at least 100 residents, including the wife of the town’s emir, his brother, and the chief Imam of Gwoza.

Shortly after taking over Gwoza, Boko Haram militants repelled a column of soldiers that came from Bama to chase them away, inflicting a significant casualty on the troops. Two days later, a group of soldiers from the 234 Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Agu had to abandon Gwoza when Boko Haram fighters overwhelmed them. In that battle, the Islamist militants captured one military tank and its driver. They also burnt two other tanks.

Some of the soldiers who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters said the lack of communication equipment inside the tanks was responsible for the costly tactical errors in the earlier Gwoza operation. “The front tank suddenly turned back when its weaponry malfunctioned,” said one soldier. He added that, unable to figure out the reason for the sudden turn around, the troops took to their heels instead of positioning the three other tanks behind to engage the militants.

Officials at Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters in Abuja have declined to speak officially about the latest battle, but a military source in Abuja anonymously confirmed that the military had started waging a wide range of operational activities aimed at driving Boko Haram militants out of Gwoza.

Culled from Sahara Reporters

29 comments:

  1. a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
    .
    And i thought the whole boko haram stuff has ended..... Boko haram and ebola, thats not a gud combination at all.....
    .
    .
    ***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

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  2. BH are too strong for NIG army to handle alone, where are the international troop that said they are in NIG?

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  3. BH again, taught they were on a break coz of Ebola.

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  4. We are watching to see the end of all this drama in the north east

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  5. I am tired of hearing boko haram news. Let's find a way to stop d spread of ebola disease.

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  6. Boko haram should calm down!...I must commend the army for their efforts so far! Its not easy

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  7. 1000 Soldiers?

    Mr. President that is too small compared with what was used in Ekiti and Osun election.

    Act fast!

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    Replies
    1. E-DIOT......u r such an asshole...u and ur family members go join dem nah as dem nor plenty reach

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  8. This people again. They shld allow us face other issues jare. Cowards

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  9. So people are still in Gboza? Wow

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  10. they are roaming around seeking those to devour! Devil's children! God is our shepherd he would not allow these evil ones come near our families. Ps 23. BishopDammy#

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  11. Boko haram has really gotten out of hand

    #BabatundeRajiFashiolaforpresident2015

    Your comment will be visible after approval

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  12. That Shekau needs ebola touch to calm him down. The guy dey crazy.

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  13. Did the weaponry malfunction before the front tank suddenly turned back or is the tank operator a boko haram sympathizer?

    How I wish all the army personnel on this fight against boko haram are Christians. MAY GOD PROTECT MY OWN PEOPLE FROM BOTH ENEMIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE!

    Mekus

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  14. We talking Ebola u guys are talking BH..............................#KingOfKings

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  15. Good job but may be the army need to be better equipped

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  16. I wonder what dis ebola virus is still waiting 4 go nd do ur work na,which is to kill d whole bokoharam nd leave innocent nigerias alone.grace b

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  17. Good anything to get them run

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  18. we are losing people to terrorism and ebola like dry wood to fire!

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  19. "Some of the soldiers who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters said the lack of communication equipment inside the tanks was responsible for the costly tactical errors in the earlier Gwoza operation. “The front tank suddenly turned back when its weaponry malfunctioned,” said one soldier. He added that, unable to figure out the reason for the sudden turn around, the troops took to their heels instead of positioning the three other tanks behind to engage the militants."
    If this is true then we are in trouble. How can the army make such a tactical error # God help us#.

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  20. I think these boko haram people need the Ebola virus.

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  21. God please help Nigeria.

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  22. BH there fall will be so intense dah dey wud wish dey neva existed.

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  23. BH their fall will be so intense dah dey wud wish dey neva existed.

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  24. SAD....OUR ARMY ARE MORE SCARED THAN WE ARE...........

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  25. It shall come to an end. Must

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  26. “The front tank suddenly turned back when its weaponry malfunctioned"......Did the weaponry actually malfunction or is the tank operator a boko haram sympathizer?

    I wish all the army personnel handling this boko haram insurgency are Christians or even atheists.

    May God protect my people in the army from enemies within, help them to see their front and their back at the same time!

    Mekus!

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  27. God where are u?

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  28. this is serious






    BORN TO SHINE!!!!!

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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