Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists flee as troops intensify offensive operations —Army

Slain Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists teroristsIn continuation with the war on terror, the Nigerian military claimed that troops of 7 Division and Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) continued to effectively stage ambushes and other successful offensive operations against the Boko Haram and ISWAP Terrorists within the Sector’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

The Army made the claim in an unsigned statement it published on its social media handle on Saturday.

The military said this laudable effort has been reflected in several successful ambushes and fighting patrols conducted by units within the Sector’s AOR in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff(COAS)for all Sectors to dominate and maintain aggressive offensive posture against the terrorists in the ongoing Operation KANTANA JIMLAN.

The statement reads:

“In compliance with the order, on the 11th of May 2020, troops of Army Super Camps 6 and 7 led by the Commanding officer of 222 Battalion Konduga conducted series of long range fighting patrols on identified and suspected terrorists’ hideouts along Adzunge and adjoining localities.

“No contact was made as the terrorists fled the villages on sighting the troops. However, troops found a wooden boat in Adzunge village and destroyed it. The following Items were also recovered – 2 X motorcycles and 1X Lister Grinding Machine.

“Similarly, based on intelligence, troops of Strong Response Area (SRA) Pulka, on the 13th of May 2020, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hunters successfully staged an ambush operation at a well known terrorists’ crossing point along Pulka-Bokko-Kirawa road.

“The Ambush resulted in the death of eight BHTs while others fled in disarray with bullet wounds. The following items were recovered: 10 X Bicycles, assorted food items and some items of intelligence value.”

The Army recounted how on the 15th of May, troops of 192 Battalion in a night ambush operation, came in contact with Boko Haram terrorists that are obviously relocating from Sambisa forest to Mandara Mountains.

The report continues: “The troops swiftly engaged the terrorists and five of them met their waterloo and three AK 47 rifles with one of the rifles loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a bag containing a pair of BHTs Special Forces’ uniform, two cartridges and other clothing materials were captured.

“Similarly, on the 18th of May 2020, troops deployed at RSA Gajigana unleashed heavy fire in response to BHTs’ attack on their location. Immediate reinforcement by troops from 7 Division Garrison and 195 Battalion conducted swift exploitation with troops of SRA Gajigana along the terrorists’ withdrawal route and captured 2 AK 47 rifles, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 x magazines, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 1 x LG3 bomb.

“In subsequent exploitation operations following the Gajigana attack, combined troops from 7 Division Garrison, 195, 212 Battalions and members of the vigilante group carried out exploitation mission forward of Gajigana and Ambudu axis on 19th and 20th of May 2020 which led to discovery of the following: 5 x dead terrorists bodies 7 x AK 47 rifles, 2 x BHTs Gun trucks, 1 x Anti Aircraft Gun, 6 x assorted magazines, 250 x rounds of 12.7mm Anti Aircraft ammunition, 61x rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 x 36 hand grenades, while 1x techno phone, 1 x flash drive and 1 x sim card were also recovered.

Recovered ammunitions“In a related development, troops deployed at Dikwa under 22 Brigade on 19th of May 2020, neutralised two terrorists and inflicted injuries on several others who attempted to attack their location from Boboshe axis. With the support from Quick Response Force led by the Acting Commanding Officer, the terrorists were overpowered, and they (terrorists) run for their lives and the underlisted items were recovered – 1x AK 47 rifle, one x magazine with 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“Accordingly, based on intelligence report on the discovery of new terrorists’ tracks astrides Pulka-Firgi road, own troops at SRA Pulka in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters group conducted a night ambush on 20th May 2020 along Pulka-Firgi- Banki general area. While in ambush position, troops were lucky to effectively strike the terrorists while crossing from Banki towards Sambisa forest. In the encounter, two BHTs were neutralised while uncomfirmed number were wounded. Also 1x AK 47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 9 x bicycles, 2 x pushcarts, 4 x goats and assorted food items were captured.

“Additionally, on the 21st of May 2020, troops of 22 Brigade, – specifically – 81 Division Task Force Battalion and 153 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with CJTF carried out a victorious operation along Mugdala village. During the operation, troops exchanged fire with fleeing terrorists and neutralised eight of them. Also, the troops destroyed terrorists’ hamlets, food items, clothing and utensils, and captured 1 x Ak 47 rifle, 1 x dane gun, 3 x BHTs’ Flags, 2 x bicycles, 2 x techno cellphones, 2 x GB memory cards and other cellphone accessories.

“In another encounter, troops of 202 Battalion and 21 Special Armoured Brigade Garrison Bama, on the 22nd of May 2020, acting on credible intelligence, laid an ambush at identified BHTs’ crossing point along Bama – Aulari road.

“Consequently, troops neutralised three terrorists while others escaped with gunshot wounds and the underlisted items were recovered: 10 x Litres of PMS, 2 x Bicycles, 1 x Solar Panel Charger and assorted foodstuff.”

In summary, during the period under review, in Sector 1 OPLD, the report said that a total of 35 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have met their waterloo and several others fled with gunshot injuries.

Items reportedly captured are:

1. 4 x BHTs Gun trucks

2. 13 AK 47 rifles

3. 1 x Anti Aircraft Gun

4. 139 x Rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition

5. 250 x rounds of 12.7 mm AA Ammunitions

6. 11 x magazines

7. 4 x 36 hand grenades

8. 1 x LG3 Bomb

9. 2 x Cartridges

10. 2 x motorcycles

11. 23 x bicycles

12. 1x dane gun

13. 2 x pushcarts

14. 3x BHTs Flags

15. 1 x BHTs’ uniform

16. 1x lister grinding machine

17. 1 x 2GB memory card

18. 1 x flash drive

19. 2 x techno cell phones

20. 10 x litres of PMS

21. 1 x solar panel charger

22. Clothings and assorted food items.

The report said that the COAS Lt Gen TY Buratai has commended the Commander Sector 1, officers and men of the Sector he including CJTF, vigilantes and hunters group for their hardwork, patriotism and resilience and enjoins all the troops of Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE to redouble their efforts to end the terrorism so soon.