By Zagazola Makama
Full scale military operations to root out the remnants of terrorists from Sambisa Forest have begun to yield remarkable results, with fleeing Boko Haram senior commanders hitherto tormenting the forest contemplating the relocation of their camps to Bakin Dutse Hill, Madagali LGA, Adamawa State.
The unprecedented full-force operations, codenamed Operation Desert Sanity III, across the forest by troops over the last fortnight have continued to dislodge the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, plunging them into severe disarray as they flee the unbearable firepower of the troops.
The fleeing terrorists, wandering across the forest in search of safety, now make moves to relocate to the Bakin Dutse Hill, Madagali LGA, Adamawa State.
Zagazola Makama, Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Basin, has gathered impeccably that a section of the Boko Haram group is perfecting plans to move out of the forest to a new hideout in Madagali Bakin Dutse Hill due to its deteriorating power to withstand troops onslaught.
This information, Zagazola impeccably learnt further, was revealed to Abba Alai, a high profile Boko Haram Commander located around Pulka, Gwoza LGA, by Salisu, his associate located around Gobara Camp in Sambisa forest.
Salisu, according to the intelligence reports, said the relocation was as a result of the killing of dozens of his associates by the troops in the current decisive operations.
He also complained that the soldiers carted away their weapons, destroyed their vehicle, motorcycles and food items, stressing that the group was forced to relocate from the enclave they had inhabited for years.
Salisu said: “Imagine, they burnt all our silos and food stuff hidden in bunkers. They also burnt our cloths and homes. With this rainy season, they are planing to invade us and kill us like fowl.”
He said they had to run out before they will be killed as the troops have intensified their patrols and attacks, citing about eight different onslaught into their camps within just three months.
Salisu revealed further that apart from Bakin Dutse Hill, other fighters would be relocated to Ali Ngulde camp in the Mandara Mountain, warning that Sambisa is no longer habitable or sage for fighters.
In his response, Alai said his group was working assiduously to fix some of their camps destroyed by troops.
He disclosed that the soldiers were withdrawn from Sambisa Forest on Tuesday, 21st May, 2024, lamenting that the troops had destroyed everything belonging to Boko Haram in Bula Ba-Abba Ye hideout.
It is yet to be seen how the ISWAP fighters who have been denied respite or sanctuary by the intense onslaught by Nigerian troops intend to regain their mojo considering that the military have remained unrelenting in their operations.
@ZagazOlaMakama, excluding headline
