1st March, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with hybrid force and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force have killed three Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and recovered dangerous weapons in an attack on the stronghold of the insurgents in the Timbuktu triangle of the Lake Chad Region, Borno State.
“During the operation, insurgents attacked own troops with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), Mortar, Gun trucks, and motorbikes, but fell under the overwhelming superior firepower of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments, and equipment in disarray,” Major General Onyema Nwachukwu,
Director, Army Public Relations said in a statement on Friday while announcing the feat.
He listed the weapons recovered from the stronghold of the insurgents to include a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, and a cache of arms and ammunition were some of the items recovered after a fierce battle with the insurgents in the offensive operation conducted on Wednesday 28 February 2024.
“The operation proved to be a major setback to the insurgents, as the gallant troops neutralized three terrorists and recovered one MRAP, one gun truck, one Dushka Machine Gun, one AK 47 Rifle and one locally fabricated gun. Troops also captured one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb, 273 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Pumping machine, 65 Dushka links, 48 General Purpose Machine Gun links and three motorbikes.
“The gallant troops are presently exploiting their success in pursuit of the routed insurgents,” he said.
Nwachukwu added that in a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army conducted a fighting patrol to criminals’ hideouts in Katakpa Village inToto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during which they neutralized one of the criminals.
He said the troops also recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one Pump Action semi- automatic rifle, three AK-47 magazines and 90 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition during the operation.
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The Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for the successful operations and charged them to remain resilient and sustain the momentum of the operations.