Troops have not carried out aerial bombardment of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s hideout because the sect is using the Chibok girls as shield, it was learnt yesterday.
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, on Wednesday visited Chad to seek clarifications on some issues and map out plans with multi-national force on what a source described as the final onslaught against Boko Haram.
The military source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said Shekau and some members of his Shura Committee – the sect’s highest policy making body – had been shuttling between Sambisa Forest and strategic locations, such as Gwoza and Bama.
The Chadian President, Idris Deby said Shekau’s convoy was sighted in Dikwa on Tuesday.
But the military source explained that Shekau has a strong base in Gwoza with a special armoured tank.
The source said: “Troops have located what I may call Shekau’s bunker but they cannot strike because some of the Chibok girls are being used as shield by the leaders of Boko Haram.
“We want to do a clinical job with limited damage because the whole world is awaiting the safe return of the Chibok girls.
“ The ability of the troops to rescue some of the girls will earn more credit to the success of Nigerian military against the insurgents.
“We are also being extremely careful to avoid any military assault which may force Shekau to turn against the Chibok girls and other hostages in Boko Haram’s camps in the Northeast.
According to the source, intelligence report has indicated that recent bombings in Jos and other cities were borne out of anger against the military for reclaiming over 40 occupied territories and killing more than 300 insurgents.â€
Air Marshal Badeh on Wednesday met with the Chadian military hierarchy.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “ The session was used to iron out alleged claims by Chadian military that Nigerian troops were frustrating its collaborating troops in the Northeast.
“At the meeting, the Chadian military denied issuing such statement. Instead, it restated its commitment to collaboration with Nigeria to rout out the insurgents from the Northeast and the sub-region.
“After ironing out the misgivings, the CDS and Chadian counterpart later mapped out plans with the multi-national force on the final onslaught against Boko Haram.
“We are likely to see enhanced synergy between Nigerian troops and their Chadian counterparts in the next few days.â€
