The Defence Headquarters yesterday said that the ‘’mopping up operations in Balmo forest,’’ overrun by troops leading to the dislodgemnt of Boko Haram insurgents earlier had led to ‘’more discoveries of arms stockpiled in underground cells in the forest.’
This was contained in a statement entitled, ‘’Balmo Forest Operation: Troops unearth more weapons from underground armouries,’’ signed by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Genl Chris Olukolade.
Olukolade said, ‘’Troops who have been excavating various sites in the forest in search of hidden weapons, have so far recovered over 10 rifles along with parts and accessories as well as more than 80 General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMG, tubes of Rocket Propelled Grenades, RPGs, and launchers, cables and wires (for making of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs) and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.
’’Also recovered in the search are uniforms of security agencies including protective clothing.
‘’Meanwhile, suspects captured in the forest have been taken into custody and are volunteering information linking the(ir) activities in the forest with other terrorist activities in the country. The mopping up operation continues.’’