40 Feared Killed As JTF Goes On The Offensive In Maiduguri

Over 40 people suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect have been killed between Saturday and yesterday, when operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) cordoned-off Bulabulin and Ngarnam wards as well as Bayan Quarters - three areas believed to be sanctuaries of the insurgents in Maiduguri, witnesses and hospital sources said.
JTF spkesman Lt Col Sagir Musa confirmed that JTf forces have secured the area but was adamant in not revealing the amount of casualties but he however advised the citizens passing through the zones should go through other routes pending when normalcy returns to the area.
Our correspondent reports that for over a year, most residents of Bulabulin, Ngarnam and parts of Bayan Tasha (railway, close to the house of former Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf) have fled their homes, a development which security sources said provided a fertile ground for insurgents to stay their. Sagir said the ongoing operation was meant to reclaim the settlements for the rightful owners
According to him, "in an effort to wipe out Boko Haram terrorists from deserted Bulabulin, Bayan Quarters and Ngarnam, the JTF has taken over the areas with deployment of personnel and equipment. "Recall that the inhabitants of the areas were chased out of their houses by Boko Haram terrorists and converted most of the houses to hideouts or enclaves
"The latest efforts of the task force led to the dislodgment of the insurgents and the recovery of arms, ammunitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and some terrorists died during an exchange of fire with the JTF troops," Sagir said. He stated that on Saturday alone, troops recovered 6 RPG bombs, one sub-machine gun, 4 AK47 rifles, 4 RPG launchers, 7 empty magazines, three army camouflage uniforms and 2 tricycles in some hideouts in Bulabulin
"Therefore, in furtherance of the operation, the JTF wishes to alert and warn members of the public particularly those farming or passing through the above mentioned areas to keep away as operation is ongoing," the JTF spokesman said. Sources at the State Specialist Hospital said over 25 corpses were deposited there between Saturday and yesterday while some people who live around Galadima Junction and Hausari said there are about 10 corpses at Bulabulin and Ngarnam that are yet to be taken away.
A resident said JTF troops used Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to subdue the insurgents and thereafter destroyed many houses to pave way for searching the areas. In another development, the JTF had commended what it described as "the patriotic efforts of citizens and residents of Borno State particularly the youth vigilante groups" that were determined to assisting security agencies to defeat Boko Haram terrorists in the state, Lt Col Sagir, who interacted with some youth leaders in Gwange and Hausari areas of Maiduguri yesterday, urged the youths to conduct themselves within the ambits of the law so that their efforts will be fully appreciated by members of the public.