Military uncovers underground armoury in Balmo Forest

The Nigeria military and other security operatives battling the Boko Haram insurgency in the North east have announced further breakthrough in the campaign against the insurgents particularly in the Balmo Forest.

Earlier in the week, the office of the Defence Information headed by Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade announced they overran the forest, another notorious location like the Sambisa Forest, but located between Bauchi and Jigawa states.

During the mop up operation at Balmo earlier in the week, the security operatives announced that they took over the stronghold and arrested Boko Haram members including mercenaries.

Another report had indicated that the military killed 44 of the insurgents in the assault, and recovered so much ammunition.

From reliable local sources, it was during the onslaught by the military on Boko Haram at the base that about 60 of the over 70 women of Borno State hitherto held hostage and captive in the forest made their way out back into freedom.

In the latest operation yesterday, Defence Information noted that further raids in the forest have uncovered underground ammunitions dumps. This is in addition to the passports and ID cards of prominent politicians found at the forest, which the military suspect, should have links with the terrorists.

Olukolade’s statement yesterday indicated that: “Mop up operations in Balmo Forest is yielding more discoveries of arms stockpiled in underground cells in the forest.  Troops who have been excavating various sites in the forest in search of hidden weapons, have so far recovered over 10 rifles along with parts and accessories as well as more than 80 General Purpose Machine Guns, tubes of Rocket Propelled Grenades and Launchers, cables,  wires and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.  Also recovered in the search are uniforms of security agencies including protective clothing.

“Meanwhile, suspects captured in the forest have been taken into custody and are volunteering information linking the activities in the forest with other terrorist activities in the country.”