The High Command of the Nigerian Army yesterday said its troops deployed to the JTF Northeast Operation Hadin Kai killed no fewer than eight notorious terrorist fighters and recovered a haul of firearms in a swift move to crush the remaining terrorists and insurgents in the Northeast theatre of operations.
In yet another related development, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating under sector 3, yesterday killed no fewer than five Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist fighters and forced others to flee the scene with gunshot wounds.
A statement by the Nigerian Army on JTF Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Monday also disclosed that a network involved in kidnapping for ransom was smashed with victims freed and a notorious gunrunner captured in the recent round of operations. The statement read in part: “On 22 September 2024, troops stationed in Borno State thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid villages for supplies and logistics.
After an intense firefight, three of the assailants were taken out. The troops recovered one light machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked Rounds of light Machine Gun and other materials, including fifteen thousand Naira and a Techno phone seized at the scene.
In another clash, troops cornered terrorists escorting abducted victims through Uvaha Village in Gwoza LGA. Despite heavy rain, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee leaving behind 16 hostages. Among the freed victims were ten men and six women.”
Meanwhile, in Yobe State, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators. This led to the neutralisation of four terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba LGA.
The soldiers also captured two AK-47 rifles, and two empty AK-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items,” the service said. The Nigerian Army further said that troops deployed in FCT Abuja acted on credible intelligence about the movement of a terrorist collaborator who specialized in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists, activated a stop and search operation on suspected vehicles in synergy with other security agencies, leading to the arrest of a suspect at Kugbo general area in FCT.
Meanwhile, troops of MNJTF killed these terrorists while repelling a vicious attack by the terrorist groups in Mallam Fatori. A statement by Chief Military Information Officer MNJTF, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, said, “recovered arms from the terrorists include one PKM Machine Gun with 200 link belt rounds, two AK-47 Rifles, two Hand Grenades, five Magazines, three empty PKM links, a Techno mobile phone, and a sum of fifteen thousand Naira (N15,000) in cash.”
