Like an Action Movie: Soldiers storm Borno,Yobe, Adamawa

Troops, yesterday, moved into Yola, Adamawa State capital and Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in response to Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed several lives and destroyed many property.

Residents and journalists saw military trucks carrying over 2000 soldiers into Yola and Maiduguri, yesterday, in compliance with the president's orders. The military launched the first phase of its campaign to secure the country's borders and flush out all terrorists and insurgents from the northern states.

Vanguard gathered that the entire Northern flank of the armed forces, including the 3rd Armoured Division Jos; the 1st Division Kaduna; Brigade Commands and Components of the Infantry, Artillery, Armoured and Signal Corps have been co-opted into the military onslaught.

It was also gathered that Air Force Helicopter Gunships, and fighter jets have been put on standby for air bombardment of mountains and hill tops that adorn the three states, where the terrorists and insurgents run to after causing havoc. Towards this end, the headquarters 75 Strike Group in Yola and the Air Combat Attack Group in Kainji where the fighter jets and helicopter gunships are to take off for sorties, have been activated.

Already, it was gathered that scores of armoured personnel carriers including those for reconnaissance, interjection, long range assault, as well as military vehicles for desert operations, signals and quick intervention action are already on their way to the three states.

Defence spokesman, Brig. General Chris Olukolade, told Vanguard that the operation which is to be commanded by Major General Jack Enwasiha, Commander of the Joint Task Force in the area, also has Police and DSS contingents.

His words: "The Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies have commenced operations to rid the nation's border territories of terrorist bases and activities.  The military operation will focus on tracking down criminal elements within the vicinity of border communities prone to terrorist activities.

"The operations which will involve massive deployment of men and resources is aimed at asserting the nation's territorial integrity and enhancing the security of constituted governmental structures in all territories within Nigeria's borders.

"The operational plans have also briefed participating troops appropriately on arrests, cordon and search especially directed at apprehending those who have been violating sovereignty of Nigeria through terrorist training for insurgency and related activities".