By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian Army has announced the killing of 24 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists during a series of coordinated operations in the North-East, spanning from July 4 to 9.
According to a statement issued by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, the operations were carried out in collaboration with the Air Component, Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, and local hunters.
Captain Kovangiya said the troops not only neutralised the terrorists but also recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and other materials used by the insurgents.
“In one of the ambushes conducted on July 4 at Platari, our gallant troops intercepted JAS/ISWAP terrorists riding bicycles from the Sambisa Forest towards the Timbuktu Triangle. The troops engaged them with heavy fire, neutralising three terrorists on the spot,” the statement read.
He added that another ambush, based on intelligence, was executed around the Komala general area, where one more terrorist was killed. A subsequent sweep of the area yielded the recovery of motorcycles, spare parts, pesticides, knapsack sprayers, and food items.
On the same day, troops launched a night operation targeting terrorist hideouts in the Kawuri area of Konduga Local Government Area. During the engagement, two terrorists transporting logistics were gunned down, while others fled with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered various supplies including packets of salt, food seasoning, detergents, and other items.
Continuing the offensive, on July 5, troops intercepted a group of insurgents attempting to infiltrate the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Konduga LGA. The attackers were repelled, with one terrorist killed and others escaping injured. Ammunition was also recovered from the area.
Captain Kovangiya also disclosed that CJTF operatives ambushed and killed six terrorists in separate incidents at Ngailda, Manjim, and Wulle villages.
In a major clearance operation on July 9, troops and CJTF stormed a terrorist enclave at Tangalanga and Bula Marwa. After a fierce firefight, three insurgents were neutralised, and the camp’s life-support infrastructure was completely destroyed. Six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered during the mop-up.
