Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, on Thursday, September 17, killed terrorists, recovered military equipments and weapons during operations in Borno state.
The operations also resulted in the foiling of attacks on two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area and Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of the state.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Friday, said troops detected terrorists advancing towards FOB Gajiram on Thursday.
Goni said the troops detected the terrorists with support from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and immediately adopted defensive measures.
He said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI subsequently provided close air support, forcing the terrorists to withdraw from the vicinity into adjoining areas.
“In a separate incident later that night, terrorists identified by the military as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked FOB Mairari,” Goni said.
He said the attackers met stiff resistance from the troops, backed by close air support from the air component, adding that the attack was successfully contained with casualties inflicted on the terrorists.
“Subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of four terrorists’ corpses, some AK-47 rifles, magazines, quantities of ammunition, RPG bombs and a camcorder, among other items,” he said.
Goni said some troops sustained injuries during the engagement and were promptly stabilised before being airlifted to hospital, where they are receiving medical attention.
Following the engagements, the Commander, Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a post-engagement assessment of the affected locations.
The locations were subsequently reinforced, while troops continued operations in surrounding areas to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.
Meanwhile, sustained military pressure across the Joint Operations Area has also led to the surrender of two Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, including a Qaid, or commander.
The two terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis in Bama Local Government Area on Wednesday, September 16.
According to the military, they surrendered with three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, a motorcycle and a cache of ammunition.
The surrendered terrorists are currently in military custody and undergoing preliminary investigation and profiling.
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, commended the troops, MNJTF ISR team and aircrew for their vigilance, courage and coordination.
Ajose reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustaining operational pressure against terrorist groups and protecting communities across the North-East.
He also urged terrorists still in the bush to surrender through established channels, while calling on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces.
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