BY Fredrick Nwabufo
At least 42 Boko Haram militants, 15 of whom were Chadians, were killed during an intense ground battle with Nigerian troops at Biu, Borno state on Wednesday, Mike Omeri, director-general of the National Orientation Agency and coordinator of the national information centre, has said.
Boko Haram had launched a fierce attack on the town, but Nigerian soldiers warded them off.
Speaking on the incident at Biu in Abuja on Thursday, Omeri disclosed that the army also advanced against the terrorists.
“As the military gained and held ground against the militants, remaining insurgents retreated. Five militants were captured and have been taken to a secure facility for questioning,” he said.
“Nigerian officials led by the Department of State Services (DSS) will conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the five militants captured to determine if they were involved in any other atrocities conducted against the Nigerian people.
“Those found to have conducted any crimes against the state will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in accordance with international standards and best practice.”
Omeri described the operation as another example in the string of recent successes against Boko Haram, assuring that security forces would continue making remarkable progress against the insurgents.
“The recent rise in suicide bombings is clear evidence Boko Haram is running out of options,” he said.
“The government is fully committed to ensuring all militants are rooted out from their hiding places and a safe and secure country for all Nigerians is restored.”
Regarding the situation at Baga, Omeri said the government was working to reduce the pain of internally displaced persons.
“Together with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), we are now caring for 3200 internally displaced persons from Baga, who are currently accommodated at the Teachers’ Village Camp, a secure facility in Maiduguri.
“The camp is operated by NEMA in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigeria Red Cross.
“Furthermore, NEMA has dispatched a team from Abuja to further strengthen the provision of humanitarian relief to displaced persons from Baga.”
He reassured citizens of the government’s commitment to rescuing the abducted Chiboks who have been in Boko Haram captivity for nine months, saying: “Despite the fact that it is nine months since our girls were abducted from a secondary school at Chibok town, government has not relented and will not relent in deploying all efforts to ensure the rescue of these girls.
“The government therefore reassures the parents and relations of these girls, and in fact, all Nigerians of its commitment in this regards.”
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