By Maiduguri’s Ndahi Marama
The soldiers of Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force “Operation Hadin Kai” (OPHK), members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the families of those killed during an encounter with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Sabon Gari village have received condolences from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of Borno South.
Additionally, he sent his condolences to the residents of Harang and other nearby settlements in the Hawul local government region, where terrorists recently broke in, killed one person, and destroyed homes and other property.
Recall that Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force OPHK, stated in a statement on Thursday that dozens of ISWAP terrorists were neutralized by troops during a confrontation, recovering weapons and ammunition. Sadly, some soldiers from Sector 2 at Sabon Gari, Damboa local government area of Borno state, along with some CJTF and innocent civilians, paid the ultimate price.
The majority of the civilians slain were reportedly Biu natives and temporary employees at the Wajiroko bridge on the Biu-Maiduguri-Damboa road.
The Southern Borno Senatorial District includes the local government districts of Biu, Damboa, and Hawul.
In a condolence letter sent to journalists in Maiduguri on Friday, Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, asked the military, particularly the OPHK forces, to remain dedicated and unwavering in order to put an end to the more than 16-year conflict rather than being discouraged by isolated terrorist acts.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum, the troops, and other security agencies for their unwavering sacrifices in the ongoing clearance operations at the Sambisa Forests, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains, and other terrorist hideouts, which resulted in the last month’s decisive blows to numerous Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their commanders.
In addition to wishing the injured a speedy recovery, Ndume prayed to Allah to offer eternal peace to the souls of the fallen soldiers, CJTF, and innocent civilians murdered.
While advocating for the immediate payment of all entitlements to the families of fallen soldiers and other security personnel who had paid the ultimate price in defending their country, he reaffirmed his demands that the federal government provide security agencies with fighter jets, drones, and other cutting-edge warfare technologies.
“Let me express my condolences to the members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), the soldiers of Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ (OPHK), and the families of those who lost their lives in an encounter with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Sabon Gari village in Damboa local government area.
“I also feel sorry for the residents of Harang and other nearby communities in the Hawul local government region, where terrorists recently broke in, killed one person, and destroyed houses and other property.
In order to put an end to the more than 16-year conflict, I want to exhort the military, particularly the OPHK forces, to not be discouraged by these isolated acts of terrorism but to stay dedicated and unwavering.
“I am grateful to Governor Babagana Zulum, the troops, and other security agencies for their unwavering sacrifices in the ongoing clearance operations at the Sambisa Forests, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains, and other terrorist hideouts, which resulted in decisive blows to many Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their commanders in the last month.”
“I pray Allah (God) to grant Eternal Rest to the Souls of departed Soldiers, CJTF, and innocent Civilians killed, and also wish the injured ones a quick recovery.
Furthermore, let me restate my demands that the federal government provide fighter jets, drones, and other advanced military technology to our security services. Ndume clarified, “I am also advocating for the immediate payment of all entitlements to the families of fallen soldiers and other security personnel who had paid the ultimate price in defending their fatherland.”
Additionally, he wants the people of Borno and the Northeast to work together to provide security agencies with timely intelligence on terrorists’ movements or whereabouts because, in his opinion, the government and security agencies shouldn’t be the only ones fighting terrorism.
