We’ve killed Shekau’s deputy, JTF says

Defence HQ spokesman Brig-General Chris Olukolade

FG: Emergency rule contained threat to nation’s unity

Military authorities yesterday said troops have killed the second-in-command to the Boko Haram leader as well as a “spiritual mentor” of the sect during fighting in Bama, Borno State.
Momodu Bama and his father Abatcha Flatari were killed in shootouts when the group’s fighters attacked a mobile police base in Bama town on August 4, according to separate statements by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja and the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri.

“The death of Momodu Bama, said to be the second-in-command to the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has been confirmed by other arrested terrorists. This followed encounters with the terrorists around the Bama corridor,” Defence HQ spokesman Brig-General Chris Olukolade said in a statement yesterday.
Bama, who the military described as “vicious and heartless”, had a N25 millionbounty on his head.
“Momodu Bama has been personally leading the attacks against troops and innocent citizens in the communities of Yobe and Adamawa,” Olukolade said.
“A specialist in manning the anti-aircraft guns of the group, he is known to be vicious and heartless with a penchant for personally slaughtering and executing his victims.  Momodu Bama has been a most wanted terrorist with a N25 million bounty already placed on his head.
“Others that died in the operation include Bama’s father, Alhaji Abatcha Flatari, who is also one of the spiritual guiding lights of the outlawed terrorists group.  17 other terrorists also lost their lives in the encounter, while 24 were arrested.
“The troops are continuing the pursuit of the terrorists while intensifying aggressive aerial and land patrols to ensure better security cover for the communities especially in the two states.”
Earlier Tuesday night, the JTF in Maiduguri issued a statement through its spokesman Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa, saying: “The JTF troops during the Boko Haram terrorists’ attack in Mobile Police Base and Bama town on 4 August 2013 killed Momodu Bama AKA Abu Sa’ad and his father Abatcha Flatari.”
Flatari, the JTF said, “was one of the spiritual mentors of Boko Haram terrorists in charge of indoctorinating child foot soldiers who are mainly abducted children.”
The killing of Momodu Bama and his father was being announced a day after troops in Adamawa State said they shot dead two other Boko Haram commanders who also had bounties placed on their heads.
Muhammadu Bama and Zakari Yau, who had N10 million bounty on their heads, were said to be killed in a shootout with security forces while on their way to Wukari, Taraba State.
Emergency, three months after
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday said the state of emergency declared three months ago in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as part of efforts to contain insurgency has halted the threat to national unity.
Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, who was speaking to journalists at the State House in Abuja, described the emergency proclamation as a huge success as it had helped defend the nation’s territorial integrity.
“Today marks three months when Mr President declared the state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. A lot has since been achieved. It has ensured the preservation of the territorial integrity of our country and prevented the usurpation of the authority of the Nigerian state,” she said.
“The insurgents were already hoisting their flags all over some of the areas, especially in Borno.... Of course, the high level of professionalism that has been displayed by our military and other security forces in dealing with this kind of insurgency is commendable.”
The minister said families of the security personnel killed by the insurgents were being taken care of by government.
“If anybody dies in action, we accord them a very befitting funeral and we ensure all their entitlements that should go to their dependents, next of kin is taken care. You know the military prides itself on the quality of their officers and soldiers,” Obada said.
“We’ve arrested some insurgents and they’ll be prosecuted in due course. We’ve recovered a lot of arms and ammunition which shouldn’t be in their hand. A lot of the civilians now are also providing assistance to the military and security agencies in identifying those behind this insurgency in their areas and really assisting and doing their best. Of course, we’ve these robust civilian military relations offices now in the Defence Headquarters and also in the Nigerian Army Headquarters.”

Source; Daily trust