Military says troops kills “scores” of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and bandits in Northern Nigeria

• Says Nigerian Navy set to host multinational sea exercise, Italy, U.S., others participating

The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday announced the killing of “scores” of Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Northeast region and bandits in Northwest part of the country in various air strikes and land operations.

The military also announced that the Nigerian Navy is to participate in the annual multi-national sea Exercise tagged GRAND AFRICAN NEMO within the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility.

Some foreign ships from Italy and US are expected to participate in the Exercise.

The ships include United States Ship HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS and Italian Navy Ship MARTINENGO.

The participating Nigerian Navy ships include NNS THUNDER, OKPABANA, KYANWA, GONGOLA and NNS SHIRORO.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, told journalists during a review of military operations for the period 25 September to 7 October 2020 that several structures housing the terrorists and their logistics items were destroyed.

According to General Enenche, “on 1 October 2020, BHT/ISWAP criminal elements attacked own troops’ location at Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, but our gallant troops thwarted the attack and neutralized 3 of their fighters and recovered some arms and ammunition. In a related development, own troops in conjunction with Civilian JTF repelled terrorist attack at Miringa Village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized one of them and arrested another, while several others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Furthermore, following credible intelligence on terrorists’ convergence at Chinguwa Village in Niger Republic close to Gashigar in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, troops arrested a Nigerien BHT/ISWAP arms and logistics supplier close to an IDP Camp in Diffa Region of Niger Republic on 3 October 2020. Similarly, on 4 October 2020, troops of 120 Battalion arrested one BHT/ISWAP element, Modu Bori at Mugtum Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

“In addition, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE conducted several air operations on terrorists’ hideouts and logistics bases, at different locations in the zone. The air operations were executed with the aid of appropriate force package consisting of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships.

“The Air Task Force package of Operation HAIL STORM 2, on 1 October 2020 acting on credible human intelligence and series of aerial surveillance missions, executed air strikes on terrorists’ hideouts at Maima and Tusuye Settlements near Warshale and Tongule Villages along Dikwa-Rann axis in Borno State. During the air strikes, scores of terrorists were neutralized and several structures housing them and their logistics items were destroyed. In a similar development, where air strikes were executed on terrorists den at Tumbun Gini Village in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, several terrorists were killed alongside one of their commanders, Umar Leni.”

In the Northwest, the Defence Spokesperson said that there have been a downward trend in the activities of armed bandits and cattle rustlers in the zone, noting that troops arrested four bandits along Sheme-Kankara Road in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to Enenche, troops of Operation ACCORD on 28 September 2020 killed two bandits and arrested three others at Dajin Kajuru village in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State while recovering two magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and two motorcycles.

In addition, “on 2 October 2020, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY deployed at Sabon Layi rescued 4 kidnapped victims from Giruwa village of Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, following artillery bombardments on suspected bandits’ location at Unguwan-Doka village, which resulted in killing 4 of the bandits. Preliminary investigation revealed that the kidnapped victims have been in captivity for 12 days. All rescued victims have been re-united with their families.

“On 3 October 2020, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY while conducting a Stop and Search operation arrested 3 suspected kidnappers in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made gun, 3 mobile phones and one motorcycle.  In the same vein, troops of Operation THUNDER STRIKE deployed at Rijana on 4 October 2020 acting on credible intelligence neutralized 2 armed bandits along Kaduna-Abuja expressway and recovered 2 locally made guns.”

General Enenche also said that in the Northcentral region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency Tactical Surveillance team, “conducted a dawn raid operation” to a suspected armed bandits’ hideout at Maraban Udege in Nasarawa State which led to the arrest of a notorious bandit, one “Adamu Abu”, with one locally made rifle and 4 rounds of ammunition.   

Also, on 25 September 2020, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and 117 Guards Battalion raided a suspected kidnappers’ camp along Bakonu road in Nasarawa LGA where they killed two kidnappers and rescued three kidnapped victims.

At a raid at an identified militia hideout around Kwaghaondo village in Chanchanji council ward of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, the Defence Spokesperson killed two bandits while one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered.