Troops comb forest in pursuit of killers

Following the killing of 40 students, there were
strong indications last night that the Boko
Haram insurgents, who perpetrated the
gruesome act, had been sighted in a forest
between Yobe and Borno states.
Heavy shelling of the forests was ongoing last
night, it was learnt.
The troops have secured the College of
Agriculture, Gujba and its vicinity.
Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad
Ibrahim had ordered deployment of more
troops in Yobe for a battle-to-the-finish with
the insurgents.
A top source said: “Our troops are in pursuit
of those who perpetrated the incident in
Gujba. These insurgents have been sighted by
troops in the forests between Yobe and Borno
states.
“The troops have boxed the insurgents in the
forests and they are advancing towards them.
Heavy shelling is going on as I speak with you.
“I cannot give you an update more than this
now.”
On the situation in Gujba, the source added:
“The place has been secured and the vicinity is
under control.
“Troops are doing their best to protect all
public institutions which had been major
targets of the insurgents.”
Another source however said: “There had been
clashes between troops and the insurgents in
the last six hours.
“We learnt the insurgents opened fire at troops
who also hit back at them. There might have
been casualties on both sides.”
Spokesman of Defence Headquarters, Brig-Gen.
Chris Olukolade, last night, said: “There are
troops already deployed in and around the
school. At the moment, there are no
insurgents around the school.
“Troops are still in pursuit of the terrorists.
There is an ongoing operation in a forest area
between Yobe and Borno states where the
terrorists were sighted.
“Other details would be made available as the
mission progresses.”