Ndudi Anyim
The air component of Operation Lafia Dole has successful neutralised a senior Commander of ISWAP, Bukar Gana Fitchmeram (also known as Abu Aisha), and scores of his fighters who were on revenge mission at Damasak in Borno State, North Eastern Nigeria.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. -Gen. Mohammed Yerima, Fitchmeram and his fighters met their waterloo as they made a come-back following the earlier neutralization of 12 ISWAP commanders in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State in a week-long air and ground operations by the Nigerian military.
Yerima said the ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists on five guntrucks in Damasak were killed following military bombardments.
He stated that some of the terrorists were hits close to the perimeter fencing, while others were neutralized while attempting to loot food items in a store belonging to the United Nations as well as drugs and ambulance.
The Army spokesperson said three soldiers and some civilians lost their lives, while properties were burnt in the town.
“ Some of the terrorists still got access to the town burning and looting items before vacating the area. It is also noteworthy that Damasak has been attacked several times and failed. Troops’ fighting spirit remains very high in spite of the nefarious activities of some local informants who often tip the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on troops’ movements and positions, ” he said.
Speaking on earlier operation that led to the death of the 12 ISWAP commanders, Yerima said: “ In a well-coordinated ground bombardments and aerial strikes by the Nigerian military on various locations in the Northeast, the terrorists who were denied any sanctuary or respite desperately conducted two separate failed attacks on Gajiram and Damasak.
“ The deadly air strikes conducted on Tudun Wulgo, Zari and Tumbun Alhaji, Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari, in Abadam, Marte and Ngala Local Government Areas, led to the killing of top ISWAP Leaders. The Commanders that perished in the airstrikes included; Mohammad Fulloja , Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al -Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem, while Goni Mustapha who was the Chief Imam of the ISWAP escaped with bullet wounds.
“ Troops’ artillery bombardment and air strikes on April 6 also resulted to the elimination of two top ISWAP leaders including Abu-Rabi and Muhammed Likita as well as scores of their troops and body guards around the axis of Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari in Abadam Local Government Areas. ”
“ The terrorists’ storage facilities that housed weapons used to conduct several attacks was also targeted and destroyed in the air raid by the Air Component of Operation Lafia Dole.
“ On the night of Saturday, April 10, three other terrorist Commanders including Ameer Umar, Abu Ubaida and Abu Salim were ambushed and killed by own troops around Wulgo / Logomani axis close to Cameroon Republic borders while attempting to attack locals and rustle their cows.
“ The devastating air strikes and artillery bombardment on the ISWAP camps had pushed the surviving elements to conduct desperate attacks and looting missions for food and drugs for their wounded colleagues. ”