Army Discover another Boko Haram Bomb making factory
***Vows fallen heroes will never be forgotten.
***Says bombs and Molotov Guns misused by Shiites against the Army killed their members.
The Nigerian Army said on Sunday that is troops succeeded in bursting another Boko Haram bomb making factory in Ngala, as the clearance operation to rid remnants of the terrorists continued.
The discovery of the factory came just as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai vowed that gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Army who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of prosecuting the ongoing war on terror or in any theatre of operation will never be forgotten.
The Army Chief also disclosed that contrary to allegations that the Nigerian Army was responsible for the death of hundreds of Shiite Islamist, the misuse of bombs and the Russian made Molotov gun by the group against the army led to the killing of their followers because they were not trained in the use of the guns.
A statement signed by Col Sani Usman, detailing how the bomb factory was discovered said, “On Friday 30th April 2016, the ever hard working troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole, have again succeeded in bursting a secret Boko Haram terrorists’ Improvised Explosive making Device factory in Ngala town, north eastern Nigeria.
“Recall that despite their defeat, the terrorists continued to attack innocent citizens, military and soft targets through vehicular and human bore Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
“Despite ongoing clearance of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, they persistently hid the IED manufacturing factories location.
“However, that would be no more, thanks to the efficient intelligence and resilience of our troops. It was based on this that we got credible and timely information that made troops to swoop on one of such factories in Ngala town and destroyed it and killed some of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“In addition, they recovered 20 gas cylinders of various sizes prepared and ready for explosive insertion, primers, gun powder, electric wires and tape recorders, amongst other items.
“It is heart-warming to inform the public that troops in various parts of the theatre of operation Lafiya Dole are doing well and their morale remains very high.
On the fallen heroes, Gen Buratai emphasized that the troops of the Nigerian Army are gallant patriots who have the interest of the corporate existence and integrity of the Nigerian state at heart and have sworn to do anything and everything possible, including laying down their lives, in order to the defend the country.
The Army Chief gave this reassurance when he received in audience the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) who led the management of the Centre on a courtesy visit in his office.
According to Buratai, “The Army will henceforth ensure that gallant soldiers who die in action are given a publicized befitting burial with full military honours.
“In fact, even if it means conducting it in arrears, we will ensure that our fallen heroes are given befitting national burials. Aside from that, we have also ensured that immediate family members of our fallen officers and soldiers receive prompt payment of all their entitlements and other welfare supports.”
While noting that the Nigerian troops are engaged in various operations across the country in line with its constitutional responsibility, the Army Chief charged every patriotic Nigeria citizen to do whatever he or she can do to ensure the safety and progress of the country.
On the recent altercation with Shiites group in Zaria, Gen Buratai maintained the Army’s position that there was nothing like premeditated murder of some of the sect’s members as alleged by such groups as Amnesty International.
“How can anybody accuse a responsible armed agency of government of murder? On the contrary, the people were attacking the soldiers with petroleum bomb and other weapons. In actual fact, not all of them knew how to handle Molotov they were trying to use against the Army and it back fired on them.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd), commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering commitment to the defence of the country from external aggression and internal insurrection.
“We have noted significant successes in the fight against terror since you mounted the saddle of leadership of this great Army and we are happy to say that you have acquitted yourself creditably so far”.
Anas also commended that public relations and information management of the Army noting that it has been very vibrant.
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