Damn ...
Bringing back so many bitter sweet memories.
This very Operation still remain the reason why Nigeria is still standing strong today when it comes to fighting Terrorists across Nigeria.
We never knew the extent at which the terrorists are so close to capturing Maiduguri at large, until we started that operation.
That was the first Operation with late Col Abu-Ali and I can tell you he was the reason for that successful season.
Majority of the troops morale has already been dampened and virtually everyone are not ready to fight anymore.
They believe people are sabotaging their efforts in frontline.
But the appointment of then Maj Gen Lamidi Adeosun brought some sigh of relief and fresh air across all locations.
The only viable location BHTs haven't captured them was only Konduga and Biu, even at that Konduga was on the verge. Because the volume of attacks in that location then was crazy.
That period the President postponed the Election by 6 weeks and ask the whole locations be recapturd back.
Most importantly Baga, because the news of BHTs capturing Baga went viral and it was their biggest of operation.
The task to go and recapture it back was one hell of a difficult task.
But unknown to us when you have a man capable of doing virtually everything in then Maj Abu-Ali, then everything is as good as done.
We saw a petit man with overall and those at the back could not even see his rank properly and thought it was a random person like CJTF ๐
But with General Adeosun Al's listening carefully, I was curious to know who's this.
He introduced himself and I was like ah a Major? This small? But the definition of small but mighty is truly him.
Immediately he said " Gentlemen I will lead from the front and everyone should follow me behind. I will do 95% of the job you people should do just 5% by clearing/capturing the one running for their lives.
Morale was high again, at that point I wanted running immediately to go and man my Gun. But last address from the GOC again.
I immediately knew this Operation will be successful in my head I was already planning.
Because the amount of ammunition they brought for us, I have never seen it in my life. We can fight for good 3 months without requesting for more, but unfortunately the number of obstacles we met on our way those ammunitions finished in 2 weeks.
These terrorists already manned very close to Maiduguri, like imagine fighting from Tungushe until we entered Monguno, it was that close.
Fee KM to Monguno these people ambushed with various tanks and the volume of fire can confuse your enemies to pray for you, it was so deadly.
We saw some crazy things after capturing Monguno, imagine they turned the QG to their own colour and inside the hospital they have their patients there receiving treatment.
They never thought anybody will breakthrough and enter that Monguno, to tell you how prepared they are.
Then the toughest of task came, proceeding to recapture Baga.
Moving from Monguno. Yoyo. Mile90. Kekeno and getting close Kuros, that was when the biggest of shock hit us, firing from all angles and at a point the tank seized and from my Gun I couldn't hear any of his explosion.
What's happening? That was I respected them Col Eyitayo. Man stood his ground calling for calm, we never knew Maj Abu-Ali has fainted inside the tank, after almost 20 minutes we heard his shot again. See the joy and morale again in everyone's face.
We enter Baga and that was where they nicknamed him and that T72 tank Dodo.
Because they were ruthless and resilient there, and the ambush was crazy, Abu-Ali will just zoomed from his tank and release, the bomb will melt and destroyed everything there.
Immediately we captured Baga, it was like a task almost impossible to achieve.
The then COAS Lt Gen KTJ Minimah and CDS Alex Badeh came within few minutes, like they were all waiting just to hear the good /1
Lionel Messi's 19 goal contributions in last 11 World Cup games! ๐
He has provided a goal or an assist in every game since 2022 group stage game against Poland, a game in which he missed a penalty!
This is genuinely insane. Nature literally created a gorgeous supermodel of a bird whose full-time job is brutally stomping deadly snakes. The disrespect is absolutely unreal. ๐ญ๐คฏ
Arsenal believe Bruno Guimaraes can be both a partner and a back-up to Declan Rice.
Given the lengths to which Riceโs body has been pushed in the last 12 months, having an experienced alternative could be very valuable next season.
Last season, Mikel Arteta was reluctant to use Christian Norgaard in high-stakes games.
There is a chance the Danish international will leave the club this summer. Should that prove to be the case, effectively replacing him with Guimaraes would be a considerable step up in quality.
๐ @gunnerblog
๐ https://t.co/n9bA5PGJBX