Event Summary:
Nigerian military on Tuesday 1st September announced the recapture of Boko Haram’s economic and strategic stronghold; the town of Gamboru Ngala on the border of Nigeria and Cameroon.
The operation was a joint affair of the army and the air force who gave the ground troop tactical aerial support.
Summary:
Nigerian Army spokesman Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman announced on 1st September the recapture of the Gamboru Ngalu town located at the Nigeria- Cameroon border.
The town of Gamboru Ngalu has been one Boko Haram’s strategic towns with being its economic stronghold. It is the economic base that links Nigeria and the militants to Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Central African Republic.
The recapture was facilitated by a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army and Air Force. The Air force provided tactical aerial support; fire power support and aerial bombardment that as the ground force seized back the town.
The Nigerian Military is working ceaselessly in attempts to meet the 3-month ultimatum given to them by the may-inaugurated President Muhammadu Buhari. The recapture of the town is a pointer that the military could beat the deadline and defeat the Boko Haram- Islamic State Western Caliphate.
Colonel Usman praised the efforts of the Nigerian citizenry and her neighbors; Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. He said, “There is a renewed cooperation, a collective responsibility not just among the Nigerian people and the Nigerian military but the neighboring countries as well under the auspices of the new Multinational Joint Task Force.”
The recapture of the town of Gamboru Ngalu, recent arrest of Boko Haram members in Lagos, execution of militants in Chad, launch of the Multi-National Joint Task Force amid claims of Shekau’s death are positive indicators that Boko Haram is headed for its downfall.
