The Senate yesterday paid glowing tributes to the gallantry of the Nigerian military in routing the insurgents.
The lawmakers also commended the cooperation and support of the contiguous states of Cameroun, Chad and Niger in the fight.
This was also as the senators appealed to the troops to ensure that they expedited the military operations in the region with a view to ending the war promptly and leaving the area.
Senate President, David Mark, who commended the senators for all their positive comments on the military operations, noted the action of the lawmakers will act as a serious morale booster to the boys and girls involved in the fight.
Rising under order 43 of the Senate Standing Order on personal explanation, Senator Maina Maji Lawan (Borno North) who led the contributions said the commendations became apparent in view of the successes the military has been recording recently.
“I have come several times on the subject of the insurgency from terrorist takeover of Baga to direct threats to state capitals and various locations.
“Twenty local governments were inaccessible to Nigerian authorities; painful as it may have been, we elicited the support of this Senate in all the issue.
“It is only fair Mr. President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this senate.
“I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated; Mongno which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army has been liberated.
“Baga my home town has been liberated, the effort is ongoing and I think that it is only fair that no matter what is left it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort and we ask them to do more so that in the areas that they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back,” he said.
Also speaking, another senator from Borno, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) remarked said: “I want to join my colleagues to commend the Nigerian Armed forces and the other countries’ armed forces that all joined in this war of insurgency.
“Results have started coming and we have seen it everywhere. Yesterday I had to travel from Maiduguri to Kano by road, there is clearly a visible difference between what it used to be six months ago and now.”
The lawmaker suggested that if possible, the National Assembly should increase the budgetary allocations to the military if that would serve as added incentive to winning the war on terror.
Senators Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) and Buka Ibrahim (Yobe South), who commented on the matter, were also full of commendations for the military.
Army Headquarters, AHQ, yesterday, confirmed the killing of large numbers of Boko Haram insurgents fleeing from the heavy onslaught by troops in the North East.
In a statement through its Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Col. Sani Usman, in Abuja, the AHQ said the terrorists met their waterloo in their attempt to enter Gombi town, Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday evening.
A large cache of arms, including anti-aircraft guns and vehicles were also recovered from the terrorists by the gallant troops. However, one of the soldiers was seriously wounded.
“The terrorists were engaged by troops of 23 Brigade Nigerian Army in a gun battle that led to the killing of quite a number of them, destruction and recovery of vehicles, motorcycles, various calibre of weapons and ammunition.
“These include 4 Hilux vehicles, 3 Anti-Aircraft guns and one .50 inch Browning Machine Gun.
“Others include 5,000 rounds of 12.7 millimeter ammunitions, 2 boxes of .50 inch ammunitions, 1,000 rounds of Light Machine Gun ammunitions and one Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 tube, as well as one General Purpose Machine Gun.
“Unfortunately, one soldier was wounded in the encounter and he is responding to treatment.
”Troops are mopping up the area to prevent further incursions by the terrorists,” the AHQ said.
Residents of the town have lauded the Army for foiling the night attack.
There have been heavy onslaught against the insurgents following a combined effort of the Nigerian military and its counterparts from Chad, Niger and Cameroun in the past few weeks.
The onslaughts have witnessed the killing of many terrorists, reclaim of towns hitherto under sect’s control as well as many of the fleeing terrorists being stranded.
The troops have intensified air and ground operations against the terrorists, even as the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has vowed that “never again”, will the military see terrorists occupying any part of Nigeria’s territory.
Also yesterday, the insurgents in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles attacked Kautikari community in Chibok local government area of Borno State, carting away several properties.
Many houses were also set ablaze by the hoodlums.
Confirming yesterday’s incident in Maiduguri, the state capital, a security source said that the fleeing terrorists attacked the village, 10 kilometres from Chibok town and torched many houses.
“The insurgents invaded the community in the early hours of yesterday but many of the villagers have already fled.
“Kautikari had once come under Boko Haram attack mid last year where many worshippers were attacked in their churches.
“The insurgents carted away several motorcycles, foodstuff and many other properties,” said the source.
Chairman of Chibok Local Government, Mr. Ba’ana Lawan also confirmed the attack even as he said no life was lost.
In another development, eight people were killed while several others injured when members of the Boko Haram sect laid ambushed on motorists along Maiduguri-Damaturu road in Kaga local government area of Borno State.
One of the passengers, who escaped the attack, said the incident occurred at about 9:30am.
He said the insurgents came on horses and pretended as if they were travelers trying to cross the road.
According to him, as drivers slowed down, the insurgents opened fire on motorists, killing eight on the spot.
He said: “The insurgents brought out the occupants of a black Jeep and a red Honda saloon car killing them before they took the cars away.”
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