288 rifles, 35 rockets seized from terrorists in Cameroon

Military authorities say over 288
rifles, 35 Rocket Propelled Guns
and 35 locally made Improvised
Explosive Devices were recovered
after a fierce encounter in
Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the
Chadian border from suspected
terrorists.

This is contained in a statement
issued on Tuesday in Abuja by
Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the
Director of Defence Information
and Coordinator of Joint
Information Centre Counter
Terrorism Campaign.

"The resolve for collaborative
efforts to fight terrorism in the
region got a boost recently when
Cameroon's security forces made
a huge seizure of arms,
apparently meant for use by
terrorists operating in Nigeria
last weekend.

"Other weapons recovered
include pistols, mortar bombs,
sub-machine guns and various
calibres of ammunition following
the arrest of two suspects
believed to be major arms
suppliers to the terrorists in
Nigeria.

"The suspects, who were in
possession of over 50
Cameroonian passports, were
nabbed in a Toyota Jeep in
Abugasse near the Chadian
border with Cameroon,'' the
statement read.
Olukolade recalled that the
Cameroonian authorities recently
pledged to support Nigeria's
counter terrorism efforts.

He said that the renewed
offensive on terrorists by
Nigerian troops had continued to
record series of arrests of
terrorists and recovery of arms,
especially close to the nation's
border with Cameroon.

According to the statement, apart
from the arms recovered
following disclosure from
captured terrorists lately, more
arms have been captured in the
ongoing offensive operations.
The defence information boss
said that a terrorist driving in a
green Peugeot vehicle with
registration number Bauchi 264
AA, heading to Maiduguri from
Alagarno, was arrested at a
check point during the weekend.

He said that the arrest of the
terrorist had led to the recovery
of 15 AK47 rifles and 12
magazines and various yet to be
assembled rifles.
"Meanwhile, the offensive on
terrorists in various fronts is
continuing. The Alagarno area,
various points of Sambisa forest
and suburbs have been
witnessing intense operations
since Monday.

"Apart from several dead
terrorists, 14 vehicles which
were either being used for
operation or hidden by the
terrorists in various parts of the
forests and theatres have been
destroyed.
" Various calibres of weapons
and ammunitions were also
recovered in the course of
fighting and subsequent cordon
and search of the areas.

"Intensive air and ground
surveillance are also ongoing in
the general area,'' Olukolade was
quoted as saying. (NAN)

Reference: Vanguard