B’HARAM: AMERICAN TROOPS STORM NIGERIA About 40 United States troops arrived in Nigeria yesterday to assist in checkmating Boko Haram, which has seized more local governments in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States in the last few months. New Telegraph gathered from a highly- placed source at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) that the troops were sighted at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja in combat gear. Another top military source also informed New Telegraph that arrangements have been concluded to bring in Egyptian pilots to fortify the aerial bombardment of captured territories, particularly Mubi, which has since been renamed, Madinatul Islam, by Boko Haram. Also, additional helicopter gunships were said to have been received to complement troop on ground. The sources expressed optimism that the ugly development in the North- East, will soon be reversed. “I can confirm to you that about 40 US military personnel, all in combat gear, have arrived in the country. “In fact, they arrived at the DHQ today (yesterday), and I’m sure they met with the military high command, for briefing and other necessary operational issues,” one of the sources said. Asked if they may be deployed for real combat, he stated: “I think it might be to boost intelligence gathering and they may not necessarily be ground troops.” Washington had offered to assist Nigeria in defeating Boko Haram following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, last April. Although it could not be ascertained yesterday if more US troops are on the way, US had promised to send intelligence officers and other resources to Nigeria to defeat terror. In furtherance of efforts to rout Boko Haram, it was also learnt that the military might bring in Egyptian pilots, reputed to be one of the best in Africa, to partner their Nigerian counterparts in the anti-terror campaign. Another source said yesterday that the military was not sparing any effort in engaging the insurgents who have grabbed many towns, including the Vitim hometown of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, in Adamawa State. He said: “We are not taking chances and that is why Egyptian pilots are to be brought in to boost the capacity of our Air Force in its aerial bombardment. “Let me assure you that the military high command is very worried about this situation and that is why they are not sparing any efforts to ensure that we regain every territory of the country that has fallen to the insurgents. “For your information, more helicopter gunships have arrived and are ready for deployment.” He frowned on what he described as “the nature and attitude of politicians”, vowing that “the military will not be distracted.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has released over 42 suspected Boko Haram members, arrested since the beginning of the insurgency in 2009. While handing over the 42 suspects to the Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, in Maiduguri yesterday, the spokesman of the 7th Division of the Nigeria Army, Maiduguri, Colonel Sani Usman, said the suspects were interrogated and were not found guilty, hence their release. Those released included students of the University of Maiduguri, Ramat Polytechnic, traders, commercial drivers, tailors, mechanics, civil servants and artisans. “Their release is in line with the law and the determination of the Nigeria Army to ensure justice, equity and fairness to all,” the army spokesman said. He commended the public for their cooperation with the military and other security agencies in fighting the insurgency and called on them to continue to give information to the security agencies on any suspicious movement or person in their midst. Responding, Shettima commended the army for releasing the suspects and for giving them N100, 000 each. He added that the state government would complement the efforts of the army by assisting the suspects to be re-integrated into the society. Source: New Telegraph
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:08:27 +0000