Troops neutralise 11 terrorists, recover weapons in Borno, Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised 11 ISWAP terrorists and recovered weapons and motorcycles in Borno and Adamawa States.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement on Tuesday, said the troops recorded the successes in separate encounters in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno and Umbo in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa.
It said that the first encounter occurred on Sept. 15 when troops of Sector 3, while on a patrol along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route in Kukawa, ran into an ambush staged by the terrorists.
The insurgents, who detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) before opening fire, were engaged by the troops who stood their ground and overpowered them with superior firepower.
“The troops’ swift response forced the terrorists to retreat. Follow-up reports confirmed that eight terrorists were neutralised, including two Munzirs and one Qaid.
“They were identified as Modu Dogo Munzir of Dogon Chukun, an unidentified Munzir, and Abu Aisha Qaid of Tumbun Mota, while several others sustained gunshot wounds,” the statement said.
Items recovered included 14 motorcycles, AK-47 rifles with magazines, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, anti-aircraft links, blankets and assorted drugs.
The statement added that two gun trucks abandoned in difficult terrain around Alargarno and Doro Naira were destroyed by the Air Component of OPHK with precision strikes, supported by the MNJTF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
It noted that no casualty was recorded on the part of the troops.
In a separate operation the same day, troops of Sector 1, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters, launched offensive operations at Umbo in Madagali, Adamawa.
During the engagement, three terrorists were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Troops also recovered AK-47 rifles, rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and an Itel mobile phone.
The statement quoted the military high command as commending the troops for their commitment to ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North East, while urging residents to continue to support security forces with timely and credible information.
