VOA标准英语2017--Nigerian Army Holds Drill in Sambisa Forest, Former Boko Haram Stronghold

For the first time in years, the Nigerian Army conducted military drills in the Sambisa Forest which previously¹ had been a stronghold for Boko Haram. VOA was given rare access to the exercises.

Brigades of the Nigerian Army’s 7th Division performed their 2017 annual drill in a wooded area of Borno State, in northeast Nigeria.

The location in Sambisa Forest was no accident. The Nigerian army retook Sambisa late last year and moved its annual exercises here.

The event was attended by leaders from the military and the Nigerian government.

Nigerian Minister of Defense² Mansur Dan Ali said the army will keep training soldiers to ensure that its defense and strategies are up to date.

“I can categorically say that never again will Boko Haram territories occupy any of our land,” he said.

Nigeria’s army chief, Lieutenant³ General Tukur Buratai, thanked the public for its assistance in helping⁴ recapture the forest, though he warned the battle against Boko Haram is not over.

“Today Boko Haram are in hiding. Tomorrow you wake up, and the spate⁵ of attacks seem to continue. This is what we can do to protect the people,” he said.

Boko Haram has killed at least 18,000 people since its insurgency⁶ began in 2009. It isn’t known how many Nigerian soldiers and civilians⁷ who fought alongside them have lost their lives.

The governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima, said the state will dedicate December 27 of each year as a day of remembrance of Sambisa.

December 27, 2016, was the day the military declared the forest free of Boko Haram.

“The whole idea is to preserve history and to keep memories alive so that we celebrate our heroes,” he said.

Leaders from different arms of government watched as soldiers took part in a shooting competition. The drills end Friday, March 31.

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

6 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

7 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。