Olukolade About Successful Retake Of Gwoza

Olukolade About Successful Retake Of Gwoza

The military seniors vowed that the Boko Haram insurgents fleeing from liberated Gwoza would not sneak unnoticed into the neighbouring communities.

The strategic Borno town, the terrorists' headquarter, was reclaimed March 27, Friday, after the brilliant operation by the Nigerian troops.

Commenting later on the issue, Major General Chris Olukolade, the spokesman for the military, told Channels TV that the soldiers in Gwoza were combing the community and surroundings to arrest the fighters.

"The retake of Gwoza by troops on Friday morning is the climax of series of operational activities of the troops on ground and the Air Force in the north-east. Gwoza was stormed from every direction.

"At the moment, we are mopping up the town and the surrounding with a view to arresting any terrorist that is still within the area."

READ ALSO: Kidnap Of 500 In Damasak: Army Official Finally Speaks Up, And His Claim Is SHOCKING

Regarding the strategy used by the military to ensure the capture of terrorists and prevention of them mixing with the locals, Olukolade said:

"We are in contact with colleagues in the neighbouring countries in the Multi-National Joint Task Force has been alerted to monitor the border for terrorists.

"The cordon and search is covering the neighbourhood. We will screen everyone we find to determine their status. Anyone found would be made to answer some questions. The terrorists fleeing to the border area will be tackled by the troops of the joint task force.

"The porosity of the border will be addressed by the joint operations."

The official stressed that one of their major tasks was to find information about insurgents' sponsors.

"Anyone found culpable will be handed over to be tried. Once profiled, further actions would be taken against them."

It should be recalled that a Boko Haram escapee has recently provided that the Chibok girls abducted in April 14 were held in Gwoza.

READ ALSO: Chibok Girls Are Held In Gwoza – Woman Freed By Boko Haram Claims

Olukolade, however, did not give any assurance that the girls would be rescued soon. Still, he expressed optimism that hostages, who may have been held by the terrorists, would be freed in the course of the operation.

"When we conclude mopping up we will be able to ascertain if the Chibok girls will be among the hostages held in the area."

Earlier this week President Goodluck Jonathan said that the Nigerian army would recapture Gwoza latest on Friday. The fulfilled promise comes hours before the presidential election in the country.

Source: Legit.ng

Online view pixel