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Boko Haram: Troops Hold Off Sect From Strategic Border Town In Fierce Fighting
http://www.africaeagle.com/2014/08/boko-haram-troops-hold-off-sect-from.html
The fierce fighting between the Nigerian soldiers and Boko Haram insurgents trying to enter the country through Gamborou Ngala is currently deadlocked with each party still maintaining their positions.
This is happening as a Camerounian radio yesterday said the country’s army had killed 27 members of the terrorist group near its border with Nigeria. According to a military source, the town which is largely a rural setting and sparsely populated, is very strategic because it provides a direct crossing link between Nigeria and Cameroun.
“This is why for some days now, the troops have been battling to repel the advance of terrorists who want to seize the strategic location so as to have unrestricted movement from Nigeria into their safe haven in Cameroon,” the source said. The ongoing counter-offensive by the military in several parts of the territory taken by the terrorists had helped to stop their advance.
“A major offensive is going on in several parts including Gwazo, but details are not permitted for tactical and operational reasons,” the source added. However it was gathered yesterday that little progress had been made in the most strategic town of Gwoza because of the difficult terrain. The source said having captured Gwoza, the Boko Haram terrorists are digging in to consolidate their hold on the mountainous enclave.
“The mistake we made was to have allowed Gwoza to be captured in the first place because the terrain is to the advantage of those in charge of it. The terrorists now with their AA’s and other sophisticated weapons have the advantage of attacking us from the top of the mountains, while also sheltering in the caves. “You know they have been trying for a long time to take over Gwoza, which apart from the terrain, also has link with the Sambisa Forest.
“We are however reinforcing, getting weapons because the ones we are currently using are old, out-dated and not match to the modern weaponry being used by Boko Haram insurgents. We will try and take back Gwoza because we cannot leave it in the hands of the insurgents, even though its a tall order,” the source added. Boko Haram on Sunday released a video in which it said it had established an Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza.
This has since been dismissed by the Nigerian military which then launched a counter-offensive to retake the communities in Gwoza. The members of the terrorist group were reported to have crossed Nigeria’s border into Cameroon earlier this week after attacking a military base and police station in Borno State. The attack was said to have apparently sent some 480 Nigerian troops retreating across the frontier.
“Cameroon soldiers have killed 27 Boko Haram elements during an attack in a locality near Fotokol in the far-north,’’ state radio/CRTV said. According to Reuters and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the state radio added that the deaths occurred on Monday and Tuesday but there was no word on any Cameroonian casualties.
A Cameroonian soldier in the region said the militants had been pushed back into Nigeria, with calm returning to the area yesterday. In recent weeks, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in Cameroon. This has forced the central African country to increase deployments along its jungle border. But Cameroon has not always been successful in fending off Boko Haram raids. Last month, President Paul Biya dismissed two senior army officers following attacks in which at least seven people were killed and the wife of the vice-prime minister was kidnapped.
Source: Today NG
This is happening as a Camerounian radio yesterday said the country’s army had killed 27 members of the terrorist group near its border with Nigeria. According to a military source, the town which is largely a rural setting and sparsely populated, is very strategic because it provides a direct crossing link between Nigeria and Cameroun.
“This is why for some days now, the troops have been battling to repel the advance of terrorists who want to seize the strategic location so as to have unrestricted movement from Nigeria into their safe haven in Cameroon,” the source said. The ongoing counter-offensive by the military in several parts of the territory taken by the terrorists had helped to stop their advance.
“A major offensive is going on in several parts including Gwazo, but details are not permitted for tactical and operational reasons,” the source added. However it was gathered yesterday that little progress had been made in the most strategic town of Gwoza because of the difficult terrain. The source said having captured Gwoza, the Boko Haram terrorists are digging in to consolidate their hold on the mountainous enclave.
“The mistake we made was to have allowed Gwoza to be captured in the first place because the terrain is to the advantage of those in charge of it. The terrorists now with their AA’s and other sophisticated weapons have the advantage of attacking us from the top of the mountains, while also sheltering in the caves. “You know they have been trying for a long time to take over Gwoza, which apart from the terrain, also has link with the Sambisa Forest.
“We are however reinforcing, getting weapons because the ones we are currently using are old, out-dated and not match to the modern weaponry being used by Boko Haram insurgents. We will try and take back Gwoza because we cannot leave it in the hands of the insurgents, even though its a tall order,” the source added. Boko Haram on Sunday released a video in which it said it had established an Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza.
This has since been dismissed by the Nigerian military which then launched a counter-offensive to retake the communities in Gwoza. The members of the terrorist group were reported to have crossed Nigeria’s border into Cameroon earlier this week after attacking a military base and police station in Borno State. The attack was said to have apparently sent some 480 Nigerian troops retreating across the frontier.
“Cameroon soldiers have killed 27 Boko Haram elements during an attack in a locality near Fotokol in the far-north,’’ state radio/CRTV said. According to Reuters and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the state radio added that the deaths occurred on Monday and Tuesday but there was no word on any Cameroonian casualties.
A Cameroonian soldier in the region said the militants had been pushed back into Nigeria, with calm returning to the area yesterday. In recent weeks, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in Cameroon. This has forced the central African country to increase deployments along its jungle border. But Cameroon has not always been successful in fending off Boko Haram raids. Last month, President Paul Biya dismissed two senior army officers following attacks in which at least seven people were killed and the wife of the vice-prime minister was kidnapped.
Source: Today NG
