Army uncovers Boko Haram’s tactics of evading surveillance in Borno

The Nigerian Army on Thursday said Boko Haram
terrorists now evade drones and aircraft
surveillance by hiding in makeshift camps
covered with shrubs.

Col. Sani Usman, the Acting Director of Army
Public Relations, revealed this new tactic in a
statement in Maiduguri.

Usman said in the statement that the discovery
was made during a clearance operation in the
North Eastern area of Kumshe in Borno.

``Troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B,
attached to 21 Brigade have braved harsh
climatic conditions to clear seven villages of
Boko Haram terrorists’ presence in the North
East of Kumshe village.

``The villages are Mulfuta, Baibawa, Jenere,
Bembem, Maksamari, Bula Kafie and Bula Bodi.

``The troops discovered that the Boko Haram
terrorists have evolved new tactics of evading
surveillance by drones and aircraft. They now
hide in makeshift camps covered with shrubs'',
said the statement.

It added that the troops recovered some
motorcycles, two Dane guns, large quantity of
foodstuffs stored in a well constructed storage
facility and solar panels.
It stated that the troops proceeded to Bembem,

``where the suspected Boko Haram terrorists
also laid an ambush for them.

``It was, however, cleared successfully although
a soldier sustained gunshot wound during the
clearance. He has been evacuated and receiving
treatment.

``The team discovered and rescued some
hostages held by the Boko Haram terrorists in
the area.’’

It pointed out that although the patrol team did
not encounter any terrorists in Maksamari, they
made a very rewarding recovery of an invaluable
communication gadget.

``Through it, the troops discovered the
terrorists new tactics and dispositions'', Usman
said in the statement.

It said the troops had also shot dead four
suspected Boko Haram terrorists after another
operation at Kircha Dungus village and
surrounding environment.

``Troops of the 155 Task Force Battalion carried
out a swift clearance operation at Kircha Dungus
village and surrounding environment.

``This is a follow up operation to ensure proper
clearance of suspected Boko Haram terrorists
hideouts and prevent the fleeing terrorists
escaping from Operation Crackdown, .

``During the operation, the troops encountered
pockets of the Boko Haram terrorists in which
they killed four of them.

``A few others fled, leaving behind four women
and a child. The troops have rescued and
evacuated them for screening and further
rehabilitation.''

The statement said a pair of military desert
camouflage uniform and a generator set and
water pumping machine were recovered.
It also said troops of the newly created 8 Task
Force Division have commenced operations in
earnest.

``The formations and units under its command
have equally been involved in clearance
operations through daily patrols, raids and
offensive actions against remnants of Boko
Haram terrorists''

``It is in line with this that the troops of 153
Task Force Battalion conducted aggressive patrol
to Gudusuri, Malalewa, Khadaamari, Rundi and
Mugu villages in northern parts of Borno State.

``Although they did not encounter Boko Haram
terrorists in the area, the troops recovered five
vehicles, six motorcycles and one Boko Haram
terrorists’ flag.

``In same vein, some elements of the same unit
deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB)
Old Marte, conducted another patrol to New
Marte yesterday to clear suspected remnants of
Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the area.''