Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Nigerian Islamic sect is reportedly surrounded by the armies of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Sambisa forest found in the North East of Nigeria. Senior Cameroon military officials have hinted that President Biya and his Nigerian counterpart have approve a plan to capture Abubakar Shekau.

The armed forces of the two nations launched a major offensive on November the 29th, 2016 code named Final Rescue on the northeast of Nigeria covering the huge Sambisa forest where intelligence officers believe Abubakar Shekau is currently hiding. Cameroon Intelligence Report understands the joint Cameroon-Nigeria military operation has greatly shattered the infrastructure of the faction of Boko Haram headed by Abubakar Shekau.

We also gathered from our military informant that the Sambisa forest is the heart of the Boko Haram system and serves as the seat of government and the group’s stronghold and has a very strong symbolic value.  Ever since the beginning of Operation Final Rescue, terrorist activities attributable to the faction of Abubakar Shekau in these two countries have considerably decreased. Nigeria has deployed troops from its 7th Division commanded by General Lucky Iribor and they are being supported by the Cameroonian army, notably the soldiers of the Sector No. 1 of the Joint Multinational Force (FMM) commanded by General Bouba Dobekréo.

At the time of filing this report, we got intelligence that the Sambisa forest area has been totally and completely closed and it is under a permanent aerial surveillance carried out by the Nigerian air force as well as those of other friendly countries engaged in the fight against terrorism.

The first phase of Operation Final Rescue reportedly lasted 5 days. From November the 29th to December the 4th, 2016, Nigerian and Cameroonian troops attacked the north and south sides of Boko Haram positions in Gwoza and Damboa. Heavy fighting was reported during the first few days. On December the 2nd, 2016, Boko Haram militants launched a counter offensive on Bama, where a detachment of the Nigerian army had established an advanced post.  Violent clashes were also recorded in the Alafa area, north of Sambisa. Intelligence agencies have revealed that the operation has neutralized Abubakar Shekau.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai