Troops make steady progress in Sambisa forest - Army Spokesman

The Nigerian Army says troops involved in the counter-insurgency operation code-named; "Operation Lafiya Dole’’ are making steady progress toward clearing all Boko Haram enclaves in and around the Sambisa forest.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.

Usman said in the statement that troops were currently clearing Boko Haram hideouts around areas that had already been taken over by the Army within the forest.

"I am glad to inform you that our troops are making substantial progress within the fringes of Sambisa forest.

"Nigerian Army troops are clearing Boko Haram enclaves along axis of advance from Bitta to Tokumbere,’’ the statement said.

It reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army toward ending insurgency and to ensure a safe and secure Nigeria in line with the directive of the President.

In a related development, the Army announced the arrest of some suspected suppliers of hard drugs and other stimulants to Boko Haram terrorists by troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army.

The Army said the suspects were arrested between Depchi and Geidam in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development reinforces an earlier statement by the Army that the insurgents were operating under the influence of drugs.

The Army had earlier reported that most of the Boko Haram terrorists captured by Nigerian military could not read the Holy Qur'an.

According to the Army, the bases of the insurgents are littered with local charms, condoms and drugs, including sex enhancing ones.