Chadian forces retake Dikwa, residents say

With the latest offensive, the Chadian troops have moved 52 kilometres deep into Nigerian territory, after taking the Nigerian border town of Gamboru many weeks ago.Many fairly big settlements have been liberated along the way to Dikwa, including Logomani and Gajibo, which is a district headquarters. The troops are now within 48 kilometres to Bama […]

With the latest offensive, the Chadian troops have moved 52 kilometres deep into Nigerian territory, after taking the Nigerian border town of Gamboru many weeks ago.
Many fairly big settlements have been liberated along the way to Dikwa, including Logomani and Gajibo, which is a district headquarters. The troops are now within 48 kilometres to Bama and 88  kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Residents who fled the fighting told AFP that the insurgents had suffered heavy casualties.
The Chadians are part of a four-country coalition mounting a regional fight-back against the insurgents.

Bababura Diwa, who lives in the town, said by telephone from Fotokol, across the border in northern Cameroon that “Chadian soldiers took over Dikwa from Boko Haram after heavy fighting.”
Diwa said the Chadians came from Gamboru, which they previously recaptured, with heavy artillery power and overpowered a group of militants at Logomani village, 15 kilometres from Dikwa.
“When they came into Dikwa there was intense fighting but at last they subdued the Boko Haram fighters,” he added.
“They killed many of them, including Abu Ashshe, their commander who was notorious for seizing cattle in the area.
“I used the opportunity provided by the presence of the Chadian troops to leave the town. I was afraid to leave when Boko Haram took over the town for fear of being branded a traitor and killed.”
Diwa’s account was corroborated by several other residents, who took advantage of the Chadian advance to flee the ancient town, which is near Boko Haram’s makeshift camps in the Sambisa Forest.
Jidda Saleh, another resident, said Chadian troops launched heavy aerial and ground attacks on the Kala-Balge area, particularly on Nduwu village, which he said was a “major Boko Haram stronghold”.
“The whole village was bombarded and it is obvious Boko Haram suffered heavy casualties from the aerial attack. Ground troops moved in later,” he added.
“Meleri, which has a huge Boko Haram concentration, was also bombed by Chadian military jets and then taken over by ground troops.
“By the time we left we learnt the Chadian soldiers were on their way to Kushimori village where Boko Haram keep the livestock they seize from people.
“They have kept thousands of livestock there. They sunk boreholes and recruited people to rear the animals for them”.
Algoni Wal-Amire, another Kala-Balge resident, welcomed the offensive.
“Living under Boko Haram was like living in a minefield. You are always afraid your next step could be your last. I thank God I’m now safe from them,” he said.
Bloomberg also reported yesterday that two Chadian soldiers died in the fighting in Dikwa, quoting a statement by the Chadian military broadcast on state radio Wednesday in the capital, N’Djamena.
 Chadian forces deploy more troops
Report by our correspondent in Maiduguri yesterday said the Chadian forces had called for more reinforcement to hold on to the town to ward off a counter offensive by the insurgents.
Sources said other militants who escaped from Monguno and adjoining villages are joining their counterparts in Dikwa.
A security source told our correspondent that over 260 Boko Haram insurgents had been killed so far and scores of others arrested.
He said sophisticated fighting equipment had also been recovered.
“We are in touch with the Chadian authorities, you know, this is a joint operation and we are closely working together to succeed. We have gone far but the truth is that Dikwa has not yet been liberated.
“The Chadian forces have also lost at least five of their troops but the fight is still ongoing.
“Lots of factors are being put into consideration. This is basically why the recapture of the town is taking this long.
“ Most importantly, they are holding hundreds of people, including women and children as human shield…that is why the approach is different, you cannot throw away the bath water with the baby,” he said.
Another source said, “Dikwa is almost liberated but there are still other things going on to make the town free,” he said.
It was also gathered that Nigerian troops have been stationed nearby in Mafa town, 60 kilometers northeast of Maiduguri.
“The Nigerian troops are blocking most of the possible routes that the Boko Haram insurgents may attempt to explore so as to come to Maiduguri and escape. This is very important because they (insurgents) cannot return to anywhere east of Dikwa,” he said.
A source close to the Dikwa Emirate Council said the emir, Alhaji Abba Tor Shehu Masta 11 had pleaded for caution in the attempt to retake the town.
“The emir is happy that after more than five months, Dikwa is gradually seeing the light of the day, reminiscent of the defeat of Rabi Al-Zubair, the 19 Century conquerer who displaced the Kanem Bornu Empire but was ultimately killed in Dikwa, by the combined forces of Britain, Germany and France.
“The ruins of Rabi’s headquarters are still standing in Dikwa, and are one of the tourist sites in the town.”
Daily Trust learnt from credible sources that the Nigerian Air Force jets are carrying out aerial reconnaissance at the Sambisa Forest to pave way for ground troops to enter the place.
“All I can tell you for now is that the forest is not yet penetrated by the ground troops. One of the reasons is that the terrorists have planted countless ordinances and erected many fortresses where they kept their captives.
“What is going on now is strictly aerial activities to pave way for ground operation that will ultimately lead to various rescue operations and sacking of the terrorists,” he said.
He said Nigerian security sources are taking the Sambisa Forest gradually to reduce what he called “collateral damage.”
Air campaign over Sambisa, Gwoza
Also yesterday, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said more terrorist were killed in a coordinated air campaign on Sambisa Forest and Gwoza in Borno State.
A statement by Defence spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade said: “A concerted air campaign by the Nigerian air force is ongoing in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves.”
“The air strikes which today targeted the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests and parts of Gwoza have been highly successful as it achieved the aims with required precision,” he added.
Olukolade said the death of a large number of terrorists has been recorded adding that many of them are in disarray.