The 202 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Bama, Borno, on
Thursday, said it had successfully restored peace in the town after series of
operations against suspected Boko Haram militants.
The Commander of the battalion, Lt.-Col. Adamu Laka, made
the disclosure at a news conference in Bama, headquarters of Bama Local
Government Area.
He said “I want to state without fear of contradiction that
peace has gradually returned to Bama. You can see that business activities are
picking up everywhere in the town.
“This is because we have carried out series of attacks on
suspected hideouts of Boko Haram militants and we have been able to destroy
their bases and kill many in gun battles”.
Laka said the operations were part of renewed efforts aimed
at dislodging suspected Boko Haram militants from the area.
He pointed out that part of the successes recorded was the
killing of one Momodu Bama, a suspected second-in-command of the Boko Haram leader,
Abubakar Shekau.
“Since the killing of Momodu Bama in July, Bama town had
been witnessing rapid return of peace.
“The residents, who were hitherto scared of collaborating
with security agents, have started coming out with useful information.
“The locals have been very useful in recent times, regarding
suspected Boko Haram members and their activities”.
The commander said the battalion had recovered large number
of high profile weapons after series of operations in suspected Boko Haram
hideouts.
“We have recovered large number of arms and ammunition in
hideouts in Kelani, Izza and Bula Kadi villages,” he said.
He, however, faulted reports on alleged killing of 40
persons in Bama by suspected Boko Haram militants last week, saying the
incident took place in Gulumba, a remote community in the local government area
and not in Bama town.
He said the figure was highly inflated as the number of
victims was not up to 40 as reported.
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