The Chief Military Public Relations, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Colonel Timothy Antigha says following the commencement of ‘Operation Yancin Tafki’, troops have in the last four weeks destroyed about 70 Boko Haram Terrorists’ vehicles and other facilities. He noted that the leadership of the terror group is also in disarray as indicated by execution of its commanders and leaders. In a statement, he said, “In the last four weeks of the Operation, about 70 Boko Haram vehicles, mostly gun trucks, facilities; such as fuel dumps, weapons and ammunition have been destroyed,” he said.
These he said happened after a sustained air and land operations of the ongoing Operation Yancin Tafki, in which many terrorists have been captured. “Information from captured and defeated Boko Haram fighters indicates that the leadership of Boko Haram terror network has been overwhelmed and are currently in disarray,” he added. Col. Antigha said former fighters of the terror group have disclosed that “the morale and fighting spirit of Boko Haram fighters is very low as a result of growing insecurity and the inability to replenish stranded fighters in the islands with food, medicine and ammunition”.
He recalled that the ongoing operation involves a series of well-coordinated day and night Human Intelligence as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted by the Air Forces of the Lake Chad Basin countries; Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria, leading to successful and devastating air interdictions which have destroyed Boko Haram logistic facilities and fighters in Tumbum Gini, Abadam, Arege, Tumbun Rego and Dagaya environs between 7 and March 11,2019 . He further disclosed that following the intense attacks, several terrorists have surrendered while others are battle – weary and have indicated interest to surrender.
“Morale of fighters is at its lowest, while desperation has also set in, leading to intrigues and in-fighting,” He said reliable sources have also disclosed that the internal crisis led to change of Boko Haram leadership on 3 March 2019. “It would be recalled that the Islamic State West Africa Province announced the sack of the former Boko Haram Chief, Abu Mus’ab Al- Barnawi and the appointment of Abu Abdullahi Ibn Umar Al- Barnawi “The frequent execution of Boko Haram Commanders and fighters which have been observed in the past few months as well as the recent replacement of its leadership are clear indications of the effectiveness of recent past and ongoing operation Yacin Tafki.
He restated that the Multinational Joint Task Force is therefore poised to sustain current operations until Boko Haram capitulates and its leadership is brought to justice.
