Co-Operation with Cameroon yielding results - Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army says its collaboration with the Cameroonian Army is yielding results and has brought renewed vigour to the counter-insurgency operations along the countries' common border.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement issued here Monday that the renewed co-operation had led to several joint operations being carried out by troops of both countries at Kirawa junction and Pulka communities in Borno State in northeastern corner of Nigeria.

Usman said a recent joint operation by troops of the 26th Task Force Brigade and a unit of the Cameroonian armed forces resulted in the rescue of 112 persons at Kirawa Junction. The co-operation also helped in the removal of mines along the axis of the troops' advance.

"Troops of 26th Task Force Brigade married up with Cameroonian forces for joint operations in Kirawa junction. Although they did not meet any of the terrorists in the axis of advance, they rescued eight men, 36 women and 68 children in the area," the statement said.

"To further consolidate the cordial relationship, the Commander of Cameroonian 1st Battalion, paid a courtesy call on his counterpart, the Commanding Officer of 121st Task Force Battalion in Pulka. The visiting unit assisted with the de-mining of a section of the road between Kirawa Junction and Pulka and handed over two suspected Boko Haram terrorists to the Nigerian unit."

Usman said the joint operation, however, recorded its first casualty with the killing of a Cameroonian officer, when a vehicle conveying troops ran into a mine along the Pulka-Ngoshe road. Eight other Cameroonian soldiers were injured in the accident during an operational visit to the 26th Task Force Brigade base.