Troops Eliminate Scores of Terrorists, Recover Weapons in Major Offensive Along AKK Pipeline in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of the Nigerian Army have eliminated scores of terrorists and recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and communication equipment during coordinated fighting patrols and follow-up exploitation operations along the AKK Pipeline corridor near Kafin Koro in Niger State.

Zagazola report that the operations were carried out by troops of 167 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with personnel of the 1 Division Quick Response Group (QRG) protecting the AKK Pipeline and troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kafin Koro.

The sources said the operation, led by Maj. M. Tijjani, commenced on May 10 during a fighting patrol towards Sarkin Power axis along the AKK Pipeline route.

According to the sources, troops came in contact with heavily armed terrorists at about 4:30 p.m. and engaged them in a fierce firefight.

“The terrorists were overwhelmed by superior firepower and suffered heavy casualties during the encounter,” the source said.

The sources disclosed that the terrorists initially withdrew from the area but later regrouped and launched a counterattack on the troops’ location.

However, the troops successfully repelled the renewed attack, forcing the terrorists to flee into nearby forests with gunshot wounds.

Military authorities confirmed that one terrorist was neutralised during the initial encounter, while several others were believed to have been killed or wounded during the prolonged exchange of fire.

Items initially recovered from the scene included 246 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, four motorcycles, one Baofeng radio set and two mobile handsets abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The sources further disclosed that troops conducted detailed exploitation operations at about 6:30 a.m. on May 11 around the general area and made additional recoveries.

Additional items recovered included one PKM machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, 400 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, another Baofeng radio set and one additional handset.

The sources said there were no casualties among the troops and no equipment was lost during the operations.

According to military authorities, the operations formed part of ongoing offensives aimed at securing critical national infrastructure, particularly the AKK Pipeline corridor, and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action across vulnerable communities in Niger State.

The military added that troops had remained on maximum alert while clearance, fighting patrols and area domination operations continued within the general area.

Military sources further stated that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained high as sustained pressure was being mounted on terrorists and criminal elements operating within the North-Central region.