Troops of Operation Hadin Kai OPHK) in Northeast Nigeria have killed 11 Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and a truck laden with petroleum products during fierce encounters in Borno State.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Sunday night in Abuja that troops 82 Joint Task Force Battalion, who were on patrol along Ngoshe –Ashigashiya Road, about 12 kilometres from the unit’s location, had an encounter with the terrorists at Daushe, killing five of them.
This put them in disarray as they retreated into the Mandara mountains with several gunshot wounds.
General Nwachukwu said that during further exploitation after the gun battle, “the gallant troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Magazine containing 13 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm (Special), a bandolier of 44 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and a bag containing 52 rounds of 7.62mm (Special).”
The Army Spokesperson also stated that troops of 212 Battalion had on July 1 launched an offensive against some terrorists along Gadayi-Kareto-Gubio axis, Magumeri, Tungushe villages and areas around Kerenoa.
He said that the troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle and one Baufeng communication radio set abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
Nwachukwu further disclosed that troops had on July 2 intercepted terrorists belonging to Boko Haram/ISWAP while they (terrorists) were crossing through an identified supply route along Auno – Jakana axis with a truck laden with petroleum products..
According to him, vigilant troops deployed at Garin Kuturu checkpoint swiftly engaged the terrorists in a fierce battle forcing them to flee abandoning the truck and the petroleum products.
“Following the attack on the terrorists, reinforcement by troops of Sectors 1 and 2 gave the fleeing terrorists a hot pursuit with close air support from the Nigerian Air Force component of OPHK.
“During the encounter, six terrorists were neutralised, three AK 47 rifles and one rocket propelled grenade were captured, while one gun truck was destroyed.
“Two other gun trucks abandoned by the terrorists were also recovered,” he said.
According to Nwachukwu, Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya, has commended the tremendous efforts made by the land troops and the air component of OPHK.
“He charged them to deny the terrorists freedom of action by conducting regular patrols and projecting aggressive offensives to completely flush out the terrorists from their hideouts.
“He further called on members of the public to collaborate with the military and other security agencies in the fight against the enemies of the nation,” Nwachukwu said.