Borno Deputy Governor Lied, Boko Haram Not Occupying 5 Local Governments – Nigeria Army

Nigeria Army has described as a lie, comments credited to Borno State Deputy Governor, Zannah Mustapha, in the media that five Local Government Areas in Borno and Yobe states were still under the control of Boko Haram.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, who spoke to journalists in Abuja at the weekend said that troops of the Nigerian Army have liberated Dikwa Local Government area of Borno state and its neighbouring villages, which he said was one of the strongholds of Boko Haram terrorists.
During the encounter, he said, 20 terrorists were killed while several others were injured.
The Army Spokesman, who gave further details on the operation, said: “The troops recovered five vehicles heavily laden with Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) about to be unleashed, four motorcycles, one Toyota Hilux mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, one Anti-Aircraft Gun and one General Purpose Machine Gun.”
The Army Spokesman said: “The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication in ThisDay Newspaper of Saturday 25th July 2015 quoting Borno State Deputy Governor saying that some LGAs in Borno and Yobe  states were still under Boko Haram terrorists.
“The Army wishes to acknowledge that Boko Haram terrorists have been  occupying some portions of  Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge, Guzamala and Dikwa LGAs of  Borno State. In Yobe State Gujba LGA HQ had long been deserted.
“However, due to recent concerted efforts, roads and towns hitherto being held by Boko Haram terrorists and laced with mines such as Biu-Buni Yadi-Damaturu and Biu-Sabon Gari-Damboa roads were liberated and cleared of mines and made safe for public usage.
“Additionally, with the support of Nigerian Air Force,  I am glad to inform you that our gallants troops yesterday liberated Dikwa LGA.  During the battle, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army destroyed one of the terrorists’ camp at Faljari village along Dikwa-Maiduguri road, Borno State.
“There is no doubt that the village has been the terrorists logistics base. The Nigerian Army wishes to state further  that  it would not rest on its oars until all portions of Nigerian  soil is reclaimed and made safe from the terrorists.” [myad]