Troops block Boko Haram movement in Sambisa forest

Chief of air staff reveals latest efforts by the Nigerian troops.

Adds that there is a tremendous operation going on in the region.

The Nigerian troops have reportedly set an ambush for Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

This much was revealed by Tukur Buratai, the chief of army staff, while fielding questions from journalists on Wednesday, May 4.

He informed that the ground troops had blocked movement of Boko Haram terrorists in and out of Sambisa forest, noting that the ongoing ‘Operation Crack Down’ (which took effect since April, 2016) had been successful.

According to Buratai: “The troops are doing very well; they had some challenges in terms of encounters with the terrorists in the theatre but that is being tackled.

“The troops are forming a blocking force to prevent the terrorists from moving into Sambisa or coming out of the area.

“I am here to see the ground forces and how they are doing; so far so good, but there is tremendous operation going on presently inside the main Sambisa forest.”

Speaking on his reason for visiting the area, the army chief said he wanted to confirm the movement of troops and equipment and to observe the situation there.

“We were together with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Air Staff in Maiduguri where the theatre commander briefed us on the ongoing operation crack down.

“This Banki junction is a major route that links the north to the south and is also bordering Cameroon; it is also a link to Chad Republic.

“It is a major route which the Boko Haram insurgents have been using to move between the Sambisa forest and the northern part of the country, up to the Lake Chad waters.

“So, it is an important location which has tactical, strategic as well as operational significance to what we are doing in this region,” he explained further.

Meanwhile, the troops in its battle against Boko Haram in Nigeria’s north east, have made shocking discoveries after killing some terrorists.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, May 3 by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the military spokesperson, the Nigerian army intercepted Boko Haram logistics team and killed three members of the gang, with two others escaping