DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
P M B 309
GARKI – ABUJA
DHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI 6 March 2014
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE ON COUNTER-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN: TERRORIST ATTACK ON AJIRI AND MAFA COMMUNITIES FOILED;
MORE CAMPS CLEARED
Attempts by terrorists to attack Ajiri and Mafa as well as other communities in the outskirt of Maiduguri and Dikwa in Borno State towards the Cameroon borders, yesterday were foiled by the security forces. The ambush mounted by the terrorists to enable them unleash terror on the communities unchallenged, was also cleared by troops on reinforcement mission.
Arms captured from the terrorists include various brands of machine guns and improvised explosive devices. Twenty insurgents died in the encounter, while own troops sustained varying degree of injuries. Also, more camps were destroyed yesterday in encounters at various forests and mountain locations around Adamawa and Borno States.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has noted with grave concern the inflammatory pronouncements by some highly placed persons in government and some apparently sponsored commentators in and outside the country who have consistently given false and misleading remarks to describe the disposition of troops in the ongoing operations. It has become clear that this sustained campaign is intended to demoralise the troops and give impression that the military is overwhelmed by the terrorist group. This tendency is unfortunate to say the least.
For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby restated that the Nigerian military cannot by any standard be overwhelmed by the insurgents neither will the devious antics of their sympathisers and sponsors demoralise the fighting spirit of troops. Nigerians and indeed all well-wishers are enjoined to discountenance the propaganda messages of the terrorists and their backers alleging the inability of Nigerians troops to handle the insurgency.
AC OLUKOLADE
Major General
Director Defence Information
