Mission to free 20 abducted girls Military pounds Boko Haram’s cells

Konduga and environs in Borno State have come under aerial attack from the military in the latest round of operation to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from the area.

The Defence Headquarters deployed more jets and troops to Konduga in the aftermath of Tuesday’s massacre of about 51 residents of the town by the terrorists.Some other sources said as many as 70 people may have been killed.

20 girls were abducted during the insurgency.

The troops were ordered to liberate the abducted women immediately.

The United States yesterday asked the Federal Government to investigate the Konduga killings and ensure the safe return of the abductees to their families.

It was gathered that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, ordered more jets into Konduga and other vulnerable parts of Borno State.

The land surveillance includes a “cordon and search” of Konduga and neighbouring towns and villages.

Sources said identified cells and bases of Boko Haram in the area have come under heavy pounding in the last 48 hours.

A military source said: “More fighter jets have been deployed in the Konduga area and neighbouring towns and villages.

“Besides securing the town and nearby villages, a mandate was given to the troops to secure the release of those abducted.

“We are also suspecting insider sabotage in Konduga. This is why intelligence unit is investigating the remote and immediate causes of the sect’s attack on the town.”

Contacted, spokesman for the Defence Headquarters, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said: “The military authorities have directed troops to embark on air and land surveillance not only in Konduga, but in all parts of Borno State.

“A cordon and search operation is also in progress, including how to set free those abducted.”

Responding to a question, Olukolade added: “There is no fresh attack so far on Konduga. There is just panic and some people are fleeing to the bush in Konduga based on the fears created by rumours of attack.

“A patrol team has been there and it confirmed that there was no fresh attack as rumoured.”

Also yesterday, the United States Embassy in Nigeria called for investigation into the killing of more than 70 in Konduga.

The embassy expressed concern about the fate of abducted women in the area, and pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure that the abductees are returned safely to their families.

It condemned the massacre in “the strongest terms” and offered “its sincere sympathy to the families of scores of murdered civilians and students abducted from the Government Girls Senior Science Secondary School and Ashigar School of Business and Administrative Studies.”

Expressing deep concern at the “welfare of the young women currently being held against their will,” it asked government to investigate this attack, ensure all abductees are safely returned to their families and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

The USA pledged its support for Nigerians in “their struggle to stop the abhorrent actions of Boko Haram and associated terrorist groups.”