JTF KILLS TOP BOKO HARAM FIELD COMMANDER AND 30 OTHERS NEAR CEMETERY IN DAMATURU

The Joint Task Force in Yobe State also known as the Operation Restore Order has just announced that it has killed a major commander of the Boko Haram sect who was a field commander of the sect's leader, Malam Shekau. He was killed along with some 30 members of the sect. Curiously the Boko Haram members were holed up near the Damaturu cemetery in Ann area called Kandahar. 

Below is the statement released by the Nigerian Army

PMB 1165

Road Damaturu

Potiskum Yobe State

Tel: 081*********

7^th October, 201 2

PRESS STATEMENT

JTF KILLS SHEKAU’S FIELD COMMANDER IN DAMATURU

1.  In the early hours of Sunday, 7^th October 2012, men of JTF in Damaturu, Yobe State on cordon and search operation in suspected Boko Haram hideout at Kandahar and the cemetery areas of Damaturu engaged in a gun battle with the suspected terrorists.

2.  About thirty (30) suspected Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in the battle which lasted several hours. In the battle, the notorious, one-eyed Bakaka, the field commander of Boko Haram in Damaturu and a close associate of Abubakar Shekau was killed. Ten (10) others arrested during the battle are presently assisting investigators to track other senior members of the terrorist group.

3.  Six (6) rifles, ninety (90) rounds of ammunition, several handsets and sim packs were recovered. Other items recovered include; knives, bows and arrows, diggers, knives and two (2) keke napep tricycles. Also, three (3) cans of IEDs recovered were detonated.

4.  JTF wishes to appreciate the support so far received from the peace-loving and law abiding people of Yobe State urging them to volunteer more information that will lead to arrest of other suspected terrorists. JTF further requests that people should remain calm and go about their lawful activities as efforts are geared towards ensuring the safety of lives and property.

5. Meanwhile, Colonel IS Ali has being appointed the new Commander of the JTF in Yobe state. He replaces Colonel Dahiru Abdulsalam who proceeds to Defence College for further military studies. Until his recent appointment, Colonel Ali was a Deputy Director at the Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations (DATOPS).

ELI LAZARUS

Lieutenant

Spokesman, JTF Yobe State