More than 2,000 residents of Gudunbali in Guzamalla local government area of Borno State who ran away from their homes, in the wake of Bok Haram terrorists, have returned to their ancestral homes six years after.
The development followed the successful clearance of the terrorists in the area by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, battling the insurgents in the state.
Texas Chukwu, Army spokesperson, a Brigadier General, in a statement, who stated this Sunday, also said the feat coincided with the flag off of Operation Last Hold, Army special Operation intended to finally flush out the remnants of the terrorists in Northern Borno.
The returnee Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs who, according to the statement, were assisted back to their communities by the troops of Operation Last Hold, observed Eid prayers in the headquarters of Guzamalla local government area of the state.
The statement further read, “Following the achievements recorded by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Nigerian Army consolidated the operations with clearance operation which is Sharan Gwona da Sharan Gida and dominance patrols.
“The Internally Displaced persons were more than delighted to be back in their ancestral home as well as the resuscitation of two boreholes by the chairman of Guzamalla local government area.
“The returnee Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), drawn from different IDP camps were assured of their safety and government’s assistance in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
“Building materials are already being stock piled for distribution as efforts are intensified to clear and open up more communities in the nine local government areas of Northern Borno.”
“Earlier, Major General Abba Dikko, the Commander, Operation Last Hold, while welcoming the returnee IDPs stated that the Military will not rest on its oars until all displaced persons are safely returned to their ancestral homes.
“The Commander emphasised that, all terrorists surrendered, deradicalized and reintegrated to their communities or are vanquished and conquered.”
Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 persons were Saturday night killed in fresh suicide bomb explosion at Abbatchari Village in Damboa local government area of Borno State.
But residents claimed up to 32 persons died in the attack which also left at least 48 persons severely injured. The attack occurred at about 8:45 p.m.
The attack came at a time the Army announced that it has technically defeated Boko Haram.
A militant leader, Babakura Kolo, said, “There were two suicide attacks and rocket-propelled grenade explosions in Damboa last night (Saturday) which killed 31 people and left several others injured.”
Another source who corroborated Kolo’s statement, said, “Following the suicide bombings, the jihadists fired rocket-propelled grenades into the crowd that had gathered at the scene of the attacks, driving the number of casualties higher.”
Another resident of Damboa, who gave his name as Modu Usman, said, “There were two suicide attacks and rocket-propelled grenade explosions in Damboa last night which killed over 40 people and left several others injured.
“The suicide bombers detonated their explosives in Shuwari and nearby Abbatchari neighbourhoods in the town in Saturday evening, killing and injuring many people.
“Most of the casualties were from the rocket projectiles fired from outside the town minutes after two suicide bomber attacked.”
It was learned that the injured were taken to Damboa General Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment, while the dead have been evacuated to the morgue of same hospital.
Confirming the attack Sunday, Damian Chukwu, Borno State Police Commissioner, said 20 persons were killed.
“At about quarter to nine, Saturday night, a loud explosion was heard at Abbatchari village, along Damboa/Chibok road.
”The DPO mobilised our men from the SARS and civilian JTF to the scene and found 20 people dead and 48 others injured.
“Some of the bodies were found shattered, indicating that the explosion came from an explosive device,” Chukwu said.
