War on Insurgency: Terrorists fleeing to North and Central Africa – Army

The Nigerian Army says a massive exodus of criminals out of Lake Chad Tumbus to North and Central Africa sub-regions has been observed consequent on the combined onslaught on the identified hideouts of elements of the criminal elements of bandits and erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters by our troops and the Multi-National Joint task Force MNJTF, at the fringes of Lake Chad region.

Credible reports from very reliable sources particularly among residents have indicated massive movements of the criminal groups out of the area towards Sudan and Central African Republic as a result of successful artillery and aerial bombardments of their settlements and as the heat of the onslaught is becoming unbearable.

The mass movement for their lives the Army say was necessitated following the sustained air and artillery bombardments by the Nigerian Armed Forces and Coalition forces of the MNJTF, which killed uncountable erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and destroyed their weapons and equipment.

In a statement the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa said the various national troops and the MNJTF are maintaining aggressive patrols and blocking positions against infiltration by the escaping criminals.

”It is important to note that most of the Tumbus are located along the Quadrangular borders of Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

”To further annihilate the fleeing terrorists, efforts are ongoing for continued shelling, bombardment and pursuits. Similarly, the countries in these sub-regions have also had been contacted through the MNJTF HQ.” He added