Op Desert Sanity: Army troops clear ISWAP camps, repel drone and ground attacks in Borno
BY: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded major operational gains in the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity clearance campaign, destroying multiple terrorist camps, recovering arms and equipment, and repelling coordinated attacks by insurgents in the Timbuktu Triangle.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the latest phase of the operation, covered a wide swathe of difficult terrain and known insurgent hideouts around Chiralia, Garin Faruk and Abima axis, following the troops’ departure from a harbour area early on Jan. 18.
The troops methodically cleared several locations and camps that showed signs of recent human activity but had been hastily deserted before their arrival, indicating intelligence-led pressure on terrorist elements in the area.
The operation was backed by persistent air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, which provided real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to track terrorist movement across the axis.
Fighter and ISR platforms maintained aerial dominance over the Timbuktu Triangle, deterring reinforcements and enabling ground troops to operate with precision and confidence.
At about 12:40 p.m., the advancing troops came under a rare and worrying attack by a terrorist-operated armed drones but despite the drone attack, the troops maintained momentum and continued the clearance.
During the operation, troops recovered a cache of terrorist items, including: Baofeng radio sets, small button phone, Five AK-47 magazines, several rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition, 71 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition, 12.7 x 108mm links, several Boko Haram/ISWAP flags, huge unquantified quantity of medical supplies and 5 diesel powered grinding and milling machines.
Later in the day, as troops settled into a new harbour area, terrorists launched a ground assault at about 7:10 p.m but was decisively repelled by the troops. The troops maintained control of the situation, and the area remained under firm military dominance.
Military authorities say the aim is not just to dislodge terrorists, but to deny them space permanently by sustaining air-ground synergy, aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven strikes.
