NewStats: 3,265,545 , 8,187,165 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 05:14 PM a714q

Military sources have revealed that the highly specialised operation by the t Task Force (JTF) to hunt down the leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, believed to be holed up in Gwoza hills in Borno State was unsuccessful as a result of the difficult terrain.

The operation, which took place last month, however, claimed the life of Major A.T. Fambiya on June 26, 2013. Fambiya was one the two officers and 13 soldiers recently given national burial at the military cemetery in Abuja.

A military source told THISDAY that Fambiya was co-opted into the operation because of his knowledge of the area, having hailed from Gwoza town.

"However, like the Tora Bora mountainous caves in Afghanistan where Osama Bin Laden hid before he later escaped from the US onslaught; the operation to capture Shekau was not successful because of the bad terrain", the source said.

The source declined to give details, saying that would be exposing "high security issues," adding, however, that the area around Gwoza hills was dotted with lots of caves.

"I want to tell you that there is a massive deployment of troops in that area but we did not succeed because you know there are lots of caves. I just know that, as at this moment, I don't see him still being confined there".

However, another military source said Shekau might have been confined to a location where the military are in constant knowledge of his movement and that efforts are in top gear to capture him in spite of the failure of last month’s operation.

The source said the Boko Haram leader is being figured out by the military and that his days are numbered as they are ever determined to finish the job despite the difficult environment around him.

"Yes we can confirm that the goon is cornered and his days as a terrorist are certainly numbered. It’s not going to be easy though because Gwoza hill is a very long stretch of hilly terrain but the good thing is that the troops have an idea of exactly how to go about finishing the job," the source added.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, while responding to THISDAY enquiries on the issue last night refused to talk on the matter but said reports of the JTF operations would be made available as and when due.

Olukolade warned journalists against reporting on operational issues that could jeopardise the military and security strategies, citing a report in one of the national dailies as an example.
He vowed that the military would pursue the terrorists with vigour until they are captured, killed or forced to surrender unconditionally according to the mandate of the emergency rule proclamation.

He said: "All I can say at the moment is that the mandate given to the security forces to hunt down all terrorists or insurgents is being pursued with all necessary vigour and sense of duty and responsibility.

"Every vital breakthrough recorded in the process will continue to be duly communicated to Nigerians as and when appropriate.

"There is no need to engage in speculation that could jeopardise the integrity of ongoing operations or mislead our citizens please."

The military had waved off claims by the Presidential Committee on Amnesty that it had reached ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram, and had instead vowed to crush the insurgents.

According to one of the military sources, "the main target now is to take out Shekau, and that is a matter of time now".


www.thisdaylive.com/articles/gwoza-operation-unsuccessful-but-shekau-sighted/154682/

Sighted and you allowed him to go? Ooohhhh JTF you would not have told me this.shut the border,hunt him until he is capture alive.i need to snap him during torture.children must play football with the head of shekau in the street of maiduguri.

Am sure that guy would never want to be captured alive! he will definitely be killed in a gun fight or Air strike soonest!

Which i think should be the best option, just like US did to Osama bin laden......long detention and trial while keeping alive is nonsense......and he might even be granted pardon later on, when those senseless northern elders start demanding rubbish and in other to curry political from that region GEJ might oblige them

So they should waste the modafuckker now and close his chapter and troubles for life

its official, we have a mole

.

.

wetin be dis one sef

There is a mole in the squad (or in the army). That's why the operation wasn't successful. Time for internal scrutiny. But then, kudos to the army for being so daring... its just a matter of time before Shekau bowed to superior powers...he should ask from Bin Laden (when they meet in heaven hell).

Special corpses vs a lot of caves. Shekau vs jtf 4-5

.

A renowned terrorist is sighted in the caves.
1. Send co-ordinates to base.
2. Order a surgical military airstrike.
3. Send in a team to confirm the kill.

Or have I been watching too many movies

I think JTF should shut the GSM networks in Borno again.

Cos a lot of classified information are coming out again.

Drama and the story continues.Who sighted him?And you could not catch him after you sighted him,you came to media first.which kind of intelligence is this one.lies

samuelkaykay: Sighted and you allowed him to go? Ooohhhh JTF you would not have told me this.shut the border,hunt him until he is capture alive.i need to snap him during torture.children must play football with the head of shekau in the street of maiduguri.

dont you know that is it just a sensational headline. it is obvoius to an unschooled Illiterate

Wat did dey mean sighted and dey let him go.
Im tired of dis

Ejo ewa fun mi ni visa.

The media is part of Boko axis fooling people

may God help us 4rm terrorists, 7th to coment, i ll get dere one day.

How will you succeed when you blow too much trumpet when going to a mission

For a federal government sponsored military operation to capture the most wanted terrorist in Nigeria, they sure don't know the meaning of the words 'Subtlety', 'Classified' or 'Top Secret'. And the so-called source says he doesn't want to reveal details, like we haven't heard all that is to hear.

Well.....though it wasn't a successful mission, we can take this as a stepping stone prior to the day he'll be finally captured or killed! Cos whatsoever has a beginning, definitely has an end! Though some Nigerians won't be around to witness that day! Shalom!

There must be lots of judas in their squard

What have you done, boys!

God bless Nigerian Army.
God bless Nigeria.
For all of you talking down our military-if you can stand the heat,get into the kitchen and stop talking from outside like b-tches.
The "all mighty" American Army chased Bin-Laden for years before they finally nail him.
We should gear our anger towards criminal politicians,stealing us blind,and wasting time fighting and politicking with NGF as am instrument,instead of working for us,ing bills that will benefit all Nigerians.They spend and waste all our resources and revenue with no benefit to us.
Nigerian Military personnels are sacrificing their lives so you id-ots can have peace,and you sods,sit on ur lazy asses typing shit.

sheyie2007: all of you that are posting dots(periods), ori gbogbo yin ti daru

Is you a learner?
First of all! Book your space

crackhaus: For a federal government sponsored military operation to capture the most wanted terrorist in Nigeria, they sure don't know the meaning of the words 'Subtlety', 'Classified' or 'Top Secret'. And the so-called source says he doesn't want to reveal details, like we haven't heard all that is to hear.

My thoughts Exactly!

Really, this must be a new thing. Informing the public about covert operations.

Many things don't add up.

Ibro Yaya: I think JTF should shut the GSM networks in Borno again.

Cos a lot of classified information are coming out again.

GSM was only open for 3 hours last week because of some VIP that went to maiduguri and it was shut immediately,

The truth is that Boko Haram have fled maiduguri but are still strong and control Bama and Gwoza local government and Sambisa game reserve the special forces have been serioisly resisted by the terrorist as they have good knowledge of the terrain as well as having good fire power.

This cannot be known because there is no communication network and journalist are restricted to maiduguri as such only information given out by DHQ normally is known, presently no road to Bama or Gwoza for the ed two months unless you follow through Adamawa state or through the bush which is dangerous .

From the whenever they army tells you 2 soldiers die is very possible 10 died, now that they are telling us 15 died only God knows how many were really killed

I believe with time or before the end of the SOE the special forces can overcome the Boko Haram terrorist.. But personally I think the JTF should treat all information confidentially even among their soldiers

Ok good luck next time

Ride on Shekau. Victory is from Allah alone

curiouslad: A renowned terrorist is sighted in the caves.
1. Send co-ordinates to base.
2. Order a surgical military airstrike.
3. Send in a team to confirm the kill.

Or have I been watching too many movies

surgical military air strike will drop bombs on rocks and hope your insurgents hiding in caves beneath are trapped beneath the rubble...If it was that simple, a special forces major won't have died my brother...