TheCable

The Nigerian army says it has commenced road construction projects in Sambisa forest, Borno state.

Sambisa forest is believed to be the hideout of Boko Haram terrorists and where the abducted Chibok girls are being held captive.

Sani Kukasheka, director, army director, said the development is part of the on-going clearance operation to dislodge remnants of the insurgent group.

Kukasheka said the army had begun construction of access road to open the forest and link adjourning communities.

He listed the projects as Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita-Tokumbere-Sambisa and Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita roads.

“In its efforts to make Sambisa forest habitable and also training ground, the Nigerian Army is following up the ongoing clearance operations with road construction into main heartland of the forest and adjoining communities,” Kukasheka said.

“Already, work has commenced in earnest on Gwoza-Yamteke-Bitta road, as well as the reconstruction of the road from Gwoza-Yamteke-Bitta-Tokumbere, leading into Tokum forest.”

The military authorities had set up a military training facility in the forest after dislodging the insurgents’ tactical ground at camp zero.

Also, the state government on Monday restricted vehicular movement on three major roads in the state between January 30 and February 4, to prevent fleeing insurgents from escaping.

The affected roads include Konduga-Bama-Banki, Bama-Gwoza, and Maiduguri-Damboa- Gwoza.