- One Policeman Killed in Terrorists Ambush
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Army troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday night killed 28 Boko Haram-Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Auno- Garin Kuturu in Kaga Local Government Area, along Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.
Sources said that the terrorists, who were dressed in military uniforms, had ambushed and opened fire at a Mobile Police Force (MPF) convoy who were returning from Buni Yadi, Kaga Local Government Area.
The terrorists had in the ambush killed one policeman and seized a police vehicle. The police then sent out a distress call to the Nigerian military who reacted swiftly through the Nigerian Army ground deployment and NAF airstrikes, both components of Operation Hadin Kai.
The source said: “After receiving a distress call on the incident, a NAF MI-35M helicopter was dispatched to the location and engaged the terrorists.
“In the engagement that ensued, the three gun trucks were successfully destroyed alongside most of its occupants. Other fleeing terrorists were also cornered and eliminated by ground troops of the Nigerian Army.
“The response was well-coordinated between the Air Task Force Command, troops of 212 and 73 Battalion from Sector 1 as well as additional troops from 134 Task Force and 199 Battalion who went on the pursuit of the terrorists and eliminated fleeing terrorists at Malam Fantari village. At 28 mangled bodies of terrorists have been counted after the encounter.”
NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the attack, attributed the recent successes against ISWAP-Boko Haram and bandits in the Northeast “to renewed synergy and jointness exhibited by the air and ground components of Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Hadarin Daji.”
Air Commodore therefore called on Nigerians to continue to support the military and indeed all security agencies as they join hands to rid the Northeast and indeed all other parts of the country of criminal elements.
This story first appeared in PRNigeria