Nigerian army destroys Boko Haram's rocket factory
Xinhua, November 18, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Nigerian army on Wednesday said troops on a special operation in the northeastern state of Borno have discovered and destroyed a rocket factory belonging to the Boko Haram terror group.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, in an area called Delwa General district of Borno, according to a statement signed by army spokesman, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman.
The army statement said this development has put paid to the ability of the terror group to fabricate rockets and their launchers, using rudimentary materials.
"This has further crippled the terrorists and greatly emboldened the troops in carrying out more offensive actions against the terrorists till they are defeated," the statement added.
Nigeria's army chief Tukur Yusuf Buratai described the development as one that has put the terrorists on the verge of being defeated. He also encouraged the troops to do more in their effort to rout the terror group.
On Monday, the Nigerian army averted a deadly attack in Borno State when troops discovered and destroyed improvised explosive devices and a rocket-making factory in Bama area of the province.
Col. Tukur Ismail Gusau, spokesman of the Nigerian army in Borno State, said the items were discovered on the outskirts of Bama town, one of the locations of the Boko Haram terror group.
The operation was made successful by the support of the Nigerian air force which assisted with aerial surveillance of the whole area, the army spokesman said.
Most of the items recovered - including a large quantity of assorted chemicals and various technical equipment - were suspected to be stolen from laboratories of schools around Bama before they were dislodged from the area, said the spokesman.
The terror group Boko Haram has since 2009 waged a campaign of violence in Nigeria in an effort to establish an Islamic state.
It has killed some 13,000 people and kidnapped hundreds, with surrounding countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon affected.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has given a December deadline for the army to end the Boko Haram insurgency. Endit