The Nigerian military has debunked pictures of the
rocket-making factory being displayed by the Boko
Haram terrorists as fake, saying the intention is to
deceive members of the public on the insurgents’
potency.
Some photographs purported to be sites of the
insurgents’ bomb-making factories in the North-
east region allegedly released by Boko Haram were
displayed on some online platforms last week.
However, a top military chief has dismissed the
pictures as a propaganda strategy of “a desperate
and defeated terrorist group”, saying that the
unveiled photos of its rocket-making factory, was
that of Bama in Borno State, which has long been
destroyed by the military.
The source insisted that “what the Boko Haram is
displaying with the images allegedly being their
rocket-making factory is deceptive. What you
should ask is why didn’t they put it on video as
they would normally do?
“Secondly, they do not currently possess the
capacity to do such a thing because they are cash-
starved and have lost their safe havens. I can tell
you that this is an old picture of their Bama
factory, which was destroyed a long time ago.
These photos are just part of their political and
psychological warfare to pretend as if they have
the capacity to do those kinds of things”, the
source added.
The source also noted that Boko Haram terrorists
are currently cash-starved, lacked the manpower
and as well as territory to manufacture such
rockets.
Investigations also revealed that the expected flow
of cash, resources and intelligence from the Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been truncated by
the recent developments in the Middle East.
“The point is that right now, Boko Haram lacks
such capacity to manufacture the rockets in display
because the ISIS they are depending on for cash
are under immense pressure from the American and
Russians bombardment in Syria and Iraq. So
funding right now is difficult for them,” the source
said.
Also, THISDAY findings further revealed that there
is ma$$ive desertion by Boko Haram fighters, who
are currently testifying and identifying key members
of the sect. According to intelligence sources, the
recent display of 100 key Boko Haram figures, was
helped by the information supplied by the
surrendering terrorists.
One of the reliable sources stated: “I can tell you
authoritatively that what you are seeing in terms of
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and the
causing of panic within the Metropolitan areas is
that the enemy are being dislodged from Sambisa
forest. The terrorists are in distress, and running
up and down without a safe haven. They are
surrendering in droves and the number of the
surrendering we have been having recently made it
clear that the people they conscripted have all
along been looking for a way of escape.
“You know that Federal Government recently
launched ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ upon which a
lot of the terrorists have surrendered with more
coming out to lay down their arms and we are still
profiling them. The Committee that the President
set up with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
and the three state governors of Adamawa, Borno
and Yobe is working towards this goal.
“The next phase now is that we are engaged in
psychological operations; a lot of leaflets are being
dropped from the sky over the Sambisa forest,
which is giving the terrorists a lot of hope that if
they surrender, they won’t be victimised. So we
have given them ‘Safe Corridor’ to surrender and
warning those that have failed to do so that if at
the expiration of this Amnesty, they will be
arrested,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen.
Tukur Yusufu Buratai, in continuation of his
operational visits to formations and units
particularly those within the Area of Responsibility
of Operation Lafiya Dole, yesterday visited troops of
21 Brigade at Bama, Borno State.
In his address to the troops, Buratai reminded
them of their mandate and deadline to clear the
pockets of Boko Haram terrorists within their area
of responsibility before the end of December which
he strongly believes is possible looking at their
high spirit.
He recalled that “the gallant troops librated Bama
from the criminal Boko Haram terrorists on 16
March 2015”, and urged them to always be alert.
The highlight of the visit was on the spot
promotion and decoration of two soldiers of the
Brigade by the COAS for their gallantry, dedication
and loyalty from the rank of Lance Corpor*l to
Corpor*l, an event that further lifted the mor*le of
not only the beneficiaries but the whole Brigade.
The elevated soldiers include Corpor*l Thomas
Orim of 202 Battalion and Corpor*l Abubakar Usman
of 150 Task Force Battalion.
Buratai also visited other locations of the Brigade
at Konduga, Awulari and Kwanar Banki on the
fringes of Sambisa Forest where he met troops in
high spirit and enjoined them to continue to do
their best in order to defeat the Boko Haram
terrorists.
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