Nigerian troops battle Boko Haram in Damasak

The battle by Nigerian troops to retake all territories controlled by the Boko Haram continued on Sunday as soldiers battled the insurgents in Damasak, a town in Borno State.

PRNigeria, an agency that distributes information on behalf of agencies of the Nigerian government, stated this on Sunday afternoon.

The Boko Haram took control of Damasak, a border community between Nigeria and Niger Republic, in November last year during a string of seeming successes by the sect.

The insurgents invasion of Damasak, an agrarian community, and Ashigarchi town, both in Mobbar Local Government Area led to the death of many people. Riding on Hilux vehicles and motorcycles, and using various types of arms and ammunition, the terrorists also destroyed several property with the residents fleeing to neighbouring communities.

In a separate statement on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Defense Headquarters, Chris Olukolade, said air bombardment of some identified terrorist hideouts is continuing in Yobe and Borno states.

He said the raids by the Nigerian military is in conjunction with ongoing ground assault by troops to dislodge the insurgents based on intelligence reports.

Mr. Olukolade said mop up operations are also ongoing in the areas already taken from the insurgents.
The Nigerian military on February 14 embarked on a major operation against the insurgents who have caused the death of about 20,000 people since 2009.
The recent operations have been successful as the miulitary has retaken several communites initially seized by the insurgents in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.