JTF ‘kills Boko Haram chief, three others’

The Multinational Joint Task Force has captured three key Assembly Points of Boko Haram insurgents and killed three, including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba, the military said yesterday.
Besides, the Force has arrested 25 suspected insurgents during a foiled bid to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
But the insurgents killed a security operative.
These disclosures were contained in a statement by the Defence Headquarters, signed by its spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, on the update on the ongoing special operation in Borno State and two others —Adamawa and Yobe —where a state of emergency is on.
The statement said the Special Forces had also intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents, urging them not to give up but fight to the end.
The statement said: “Troops of the Special Forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end.
“The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to regroup.
“Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force carried out an operation which resulted in the capture and destruction of the insurgents’ assembly points sited on the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori area north of Baga.
“The towns and settlements have now been secured while cordon-and-search operation is also ongoing in the area after the insurgents have been dislodged.”
The statement which could not be independently confirmed, added: “Meanwhile, a total of 25 insurgents were rounded up while three died, including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba, who has been on the list of most wanted persons.
“This incident happened during an encounter with troops of the task force as the insurgents were finalising moves to carry out an extensive terrorist operation around Maiduguri.
“The captured ones were all apprehended with their weapons, which include rifles, pistols, double barrel guns and various calibres of ammunition, during a raid operation of the JTF in Kumshe and Bulunkutu area.
“In Sambisa forest, troops combing the forest continue to make more discoveries.
“A man who had been held hostage in the forest since last year escaped, bound in handcuffs as his captors fled during the troops’ attack on the biggest camp in the forest. The freed hostage is being treated by the Task Force.
“The troops are dominating the forest as they find a number of fresh grave, more arms and ammunition, burnt vehicles and other equipment. More updates as the operation continues.”