Exclusive Report On Nigerian Army’s Renewed Offensive Against Boko Haram

An apparently better equipped
Nigerian military has revved up its
battle against the extremist Boko
Haram sect, displacing the
insurgents from key Adamawa and
Borno towns they overran and
seized in the past months, a
PREMIUM TIMES journalist travelling
in the area is reporting.
In what appears a renewed bid to
overwhelm the terrorists, the
military, assisted by local vigilantes,
known as Civilian-JTF, has cleared
most of the towns ravaged by
insurgent activities, our
correspondent says.
PREMIUM TIMES is the first news
organization to access the heavily-
guarded areas of Adamawa and
Borno States, currently under
military operations.
"Gaskiya (truth be said) Nigerian
military is doing a very very fine job
here. They have cleared Gombi,
Hong, Mararraba, Mubi and the
entire route of Boko Haram," Mr.
Tilde said.
"They are now at Uba slugging it
out. Vehicles aren't allowed beyond
Gombi. People trek to Hong. The
road is quiet. Clearing of hazardous
materials like IEDs going on along
Mararraba-Mubi Road before the
road is open to users.
"Gombi-Garkida road is also cleared.
It is safe. Saw many vehicles plying
the road. Clearing of Garkida-Biu
road may start soon," he said.
"The military is now better equipped
and more confident. Its newly
acquired T72 tank is devastating.
Boko Haram bombed it using
suicide bombers with a pickup
packed with explosives but to no
avail. Only scratches. And the beast
moved on.
Posted By David Aniemeka