Boko Haram in trouble as Soldiers Storm Sambisa, gunned down hundreds.

The Nigerian Army, on Wednesday said its ground troops successfully gunned down hundreds of fleeing members of the Boko Haram sect in Borno State. 

The terrorists were said to be fleeing from the continued aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force.

The troops also arrested two key figures of the sect in Geidam, Yobe State, who are under interrogation, according to a statement by Army Spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman.

However, the Defence Headquarters and Usman have refuted the report in a section of the media alleging the massacre and drowning of over 150 civilians in Kukuwa-Gari, Gujba Local Government Council of Yobe State.

The report, they argued, could not be substantiated, assuring the public “of Nigerian Army’s commitment in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and ensuring security for law abiding citizens in the affected areas.”

“Our troops have just arrested two fleeing key members of Boko Haram terrorists with two pick-up vehicles in Geidam, Yobe State. Both terrorists are being interrogated,” he stressed.

Continuing, the Army Spokesman said: “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, Borno State, yesterday (Tuesday) evening engaged Boko Haram terrorists fleeing Sambisa forest following continued aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force.

“The fleeing terrorists in seven pick-up vans and some motorcycles mounted with assorted weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenades and Anti-Aircraft Guns were decisively dealt with, killing quite a number of them.

“The troops also destroyed their vehicles, weapons and motorcycles. They also recovered a vehicle, one motorcycle and two AK47 riffles and large quantities of 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm ammunition.

“The troops have intensified their patrols and offensive actions against the terrorists in the area.”

Reacting to the alleged killing of over 150 civilians in Yobe on Tuesday, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said: “Attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the media reports which claim that over 150 people from Kukuwa-Gari village were shot dead by Boko Haram gunmen in Yobe State while many others fleeing from the gunmen drowned in Yobe River in the mid-afternoon yesterday.

“The military wishes to state that the story is not true, utterly scurrilous and very misleading.

“However, the truth of the matter is that the military got an intelligence report concerning a planned attack by Boko Haram on Kukuwa-Gari village in Yobe State.

“Following the tip-off, troops and civilian JTF laid ambush between Kukuwatashi and Kukuwa-Gari villages.

“The insurgents ran into them and a gun battle ensued in which four Boko Haram members and one civilian JTF lost their lives.

“At the end of the encounter, two AK 47 rifles and two motorcycles used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered from them.

“The Armed Forces therefore implore the media to always seek clarification of stories before going to press as most of these unsubstantiated reports tend to embolden or encourage the terrorists to believe they are invincible, thus instilling perpetual fear in the minds of the citizens, especially, those in the contested areas of the North East.

“The military is doing all within its power to protect lives and property of Nigerians in any part of the country and thus, solicits cooperation and understanding of the media to be partners in progress in this noble task.

“Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified the aerial bombardments of Sambisa Forest.

The F-7 fighter aircraft, according to the Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, “carried out interdiction mission over designated targets and suspected Boko Haram locations.

“Also, the Alpha Jet carried out armed reconnaissance and attack on some moving vehicles belonging to BHT while the Mi -24 and Mi-35 attack helicopters further carried out interdiction mission at some identified targets all in Sambisa Forest.

“Furthermore, the ATR-42 and Diamond-142 surveillance aircraft continued with their ISR missions over Damasak, Alafia and Sambisa forest where some abandoned vehicles belonging to the terrorists were seen at some locations in the forest.

“In a related development, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has authorised the immediate establishment of a two-Level Hospital at the largest Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP) in Maiduguri.

The Air Force Spokesman said: “In addition to the establishment of the Hospital, the Air Chief also ordered the construction of a borehole to service the hospital and other people within the camp.”

It would be recalled that the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) accompanied by the Service Chiefs visited several IDP Camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states including Dalori Camp last week where it was observed that the elderly men, women and children were in dare need of more healthcare and water supply.

Consequently, the Chief of Air Staff gave the NAF Director of Medical Services a marching order to establish a hospital with full complements to enhance the IDP healthcare needs.

A source in one of the affected villages who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, said residents initially attempted to confront the terrorists but were overwhelmed by the more sophisticated weapons.

The gunmen reportedly arrived on motorcycles and a car and immediately opened fire on the local residents on sight.

The gunmen shot several people and as the residents made to escape they plunged in droves into a river, which according to a resident who was lucky to survive, had overflowed as a result of recent rainfall.

The source further told our correspondent that the death toll had yet to be confirmed, but said no fewer than 150 might have been drowned in the river as they could not be accounted after the terrorists had fled the village.

When contacted, the spokesperson for Yobe State Police Command, Toyin Gbadegesin, said the command was yet to receive an official report on the attack.