Nigerian Army launches new motorcycle battalion in renewed fight against Boko Haram

NIGERIAN Army commanders have just launched the Army Combat Motorbikes Battalion at the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa in a bid to make troops more mobile as part of the ongoing battle against Boko Haram.

 

Over the last year, the Nigerian Army has succeeded in expelling Boko Haram from several of its strongholds in Borno State but the terrorists have proven to be highly mobile. Their use of motorcycles has allowed the terrorist to flee into inaccessible parts of Borno State, leading to military authorities to come up with a response plan.

 

Yesterday, Lt General Tukur Buratai, the chief of army staff, launched the new battalion at Damboa in Borno State as part of a renewed fightback. At the launch, he announced that the army had re-opened all major highways linking Maiduguri with other parts of the country, after being shut for about three years due to suspected Boko Haram terrorist attacks.

 

Lt General Buratai said motorists plying the Maiduguri-Damboa/Biu, Maiduguri-Bama, Maiduguri-Monguno and the Maiduguri-Mafa roads can now be assured of their safety. It is believed that the new motorcycle battalion will ply these roads on the lookout for suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

 

First muted in July last year, the motorcycle battalion will complement efforts of ground troops who are finding it difficult to penetrate terrorists’ hideouts using military vehicles, especially in the dreaded Sambisa Forest. According to the chief of army staff, the motorbikes have been fitted with firepower and communication gadgets for effectiveness.

 

Lt General Buratai said: “The motorcycle battalion is usually a quick-fix corps of soldiers who perform all the duties of a reconnaissance battalion and is an assault battalion, which seeks out enemy soft spot and launches attacks. The Germans, Britons and Americans have dedicated motorcycle battalion corps that backup their regular armies.

 

"Historically, motorcycle battalions included an armoured car company and several companies of motorcycle infantry. We intend to use the motorbikes effectively to ensure that our roads are kept safe and the terrorists are pursued anywhere they go."

 

He added that the reach of these motorbikes will be a very important element in ensuring that troops maintain the initiative and continue to consolidate what they have so far achieved. General Buratai said the army would work towards securing the lives and property of motorists plying the roads that have now been opened.