September 11, 2018; Decisive Defeat of Boko Haram & Turning Point in the War against Terrorism – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Saturday declared that Nigerian Army troops deployed to Damasak have decisively defeated Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to reverse the gains of the war on terror.
He stated that the counter military operations that resulted in the annihilation of scores of the terrorists signaled “the Turning Point” in the battle to liberate the North East.
In his Facebook inventory on Saturday night which he aptly entitled “Leaving Maiduguri after a week of fruitful adventure round Northern Borno”, the Army Chief expressed congratulations to all Nigerians and the gallant troops who staked their lives for the defence of the nation’s territory.
His words, “Congratulations Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari. Congratulations our gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. Congratulations Nigerian Armed Forces. Congratulations to all Nigerians”.
Gen. Buratai who was physically on ground, having relocated his operational headquarters to Gudumbali when the misadvised terrorists who mostly took off from the fringes of Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest executed their planned invasion, saluted the great job done by the troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak.
His words, “The Boko Haram Terrorists suffered a decisive defeat on September 11, 2018”.
“This date marks the real turning point in our counter insurgency operation”.
In the battle of Damasak that raged for two days, the Nigerian ground troops with close air support routed the Boko Haram terrorists, killing many of them and destroyed several of their vehicles and equipment.
Though Army spokesman, Brig-Gen. Texas Chukwu, in a statement said seven terrorists were killed with several of them wounded, military sources on ground put the number of terrorists sent to the ‘grave beyond’ at about 50 because of the heavy gunfire response from the army which saw the deployment of artillery equipment, armoured tanks as well as air strikes from Mi-35 helicopter gunships and fighter jets.
Consequent upon these successes in the battle, Lt. Gen. Buratai declared in the post: “the Nigerian Army is in full control of the Theatre of Operation.
“The criminal Boko Haram, lick your wounds. Your Sponsors, Sympathizers and Collaborators in the guise of social media journalists will all join you in licking. Bastards! Nigeria is greater than you all.
“Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!”
Recall that the COAS had relocated his operational base to Gudumbali and Damasak towns following foreign media reports of the takeover of Gudumbali and other areas in Damasak town by Boko Haram in a bid to forestall the terrorist’s resurgence.
Military authorities disclosed then that the COAS paid unscheduled visits to all units and formations in the North East for on the spot assessment of the battlefield and he visited such strategic towns as Damboa, Damasak and Gudumbali among others.
The source had said, “Lt. Gen. Buratai is determined to halt Boko Haram sporadic attacks and ultimately stop the terrorists’ capability to regroup.
“He is presently paying unscheduled visits to all formations and units in the North East to check their operational readiness. In most of the units and Forward Operation Bases (FOB’s) visited all the troops were found to be at full alert.
“In a bid to finally curtail the recent sporadic attacks by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in the North East, the COAS has relocated his operations headquarters to Gudumbali in Borno State.
“He will alternate between Gudumbali and Damasak. Whilst there he has had series of meetings with the locals and village heads all aimed at finally breaking the nerve of BHT”.