Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole at the weekend battled insurgents who attacked three villages in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee to the mountains.
The hostilities started with the attacks by fighters of the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP), who launched attacks on Garkida and surrounding villages in Adamawa State on December 24, and later spilled into Borno State for four days.
Garkida is located in the Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
THISDAY learnt that the battle between the troops and the insurgents in three villages in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State was still raging as at the time of filling this report.
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Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Christmas day, said the Nigerian Air Force could no longer afford to be taken unawares in the fight against insurgency. Abubakar said President Muhammadu Buhari had provided the Air Force all required to take on the enemies, including the requisite manpower and sophisticated aircraft, among other equipment.
Abubakar saluted the gallantry of his men, in spite of unceasing attacks by the terrorists. He vowed that the Air Force would not stop fighting till all Nigerians and their property were safe, adding that the new equipment currently serves as a game changer in the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
By Yakubu Uba
Maiduguri, Dec. 25, 2020 The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, took lunch on Friday with troops of Air Task Force of ” Operation Lafiya Dole” in Maiduguri to celebrate Christmas.
Speaking at the occasion, Abubakar said that the gesture was to fill the vacuum created as a result of troops inability to celebrate with their families.
“This occassion also fosters comradeship and gives us the opportunities to commend ourselves for our collective efforts in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
“It is not easy to quantify your enormous contributions and sacrifice towards the war against insurgency.
“Christmas celebration is all about sacrifice. As such as military professionals, our sacrifices for the unity of Nigeria remains immeasurable.
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Sunday Aborisade, Tunde Oyekola, Alexander Okere and Kayode Idowu with agency report
No fewer than six people have been killed and houses razed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in a community near Chibok town in Borno State.
The attack was reported to have been carried at about 5pm on the eve of Christmas.
The insurgents were said to have stormed the village in a bid to raid Piyemi, a community 10 kilometres from Chibok town in the southern part of the state.
It was learnt that the residents were forced to flee the town into the mountainous areas as the invading terrorists looted food items and burnt houses amidst sporadic shootings.