From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
SOME Boko Haram disguising as civilians have fled to remote communities in the border areas following their dislodgment from Damasak, Borno’s northern town and recapturing of the town by the military troops.
Spokesman for the regional military force; Multi- National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Col Muhammad Dole said the force bombardment and eventual liberation of Damasak, a Boko Haram stronghold, last Thursday had compelled the insurgents to flee to communities around the Lake Chad. He said the terrorists also disguised as displaced civilians to take refuge at the border area.
“Sequel to the capture and subsequent occupation of Damasak town and surrounding villages by Sector 4, MNJTF, the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (Nigeria) have successfully linked up and are currently consolidating their defences in the cleared town and stabilising the general area.
“Despite this high valued achievement, remnants of Boko Haram terrorists fleeing the general area of operation are said to be relocating to remote settlements along the borders of the MNJTF member countries, mostly disguising as normal civilians,” Dole said in a statement yesterday from the force operational base in neighbouring Niger Republic.
He appealed to people residing along the borders to be security conscious and “report arrival of new persons/ settlers as well as unusual movement of persons to the nearest security agencies.”
He said the MNJTF Commander, Maj Gen Lamidi Adeosun Dele said he had assured that onslaught against Boko Haram continues until “they are all smoked out of their hiding places.”
Dole however noted that the task of ending insurgency in the country would be achieved with the continued support of all.