Troops Kill 20 Boko Haram Terrorists, Rescue 241 Abductees

Nigerian Army Sector 1 troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have killed a total of 20 Boko Haram terrorists in different operations against insurgency in the North East.

Several arms and ammunition were said to have been recovered from the terrorists during the onslaught.

A statement posted on Thursday on the Facebook page of the Nigerian Army, said this was in continuation of the war on terror in the North East.

The statement said during one of the ongoing operations, troops came into contact with the terrorists which led to “an exchange of fire which resulted in the extermination of five (5) terrorists and the capture of the following items: 2 x motorcycles, 2 x bicycles, 1 x amplifier, 1 x battery, 2 x sewing machines and 4 x BHTs’ flags.”

The statement also noted that the contact was made based on credible intelligence which exposed the hideouts of some BH/ISWAP terrorists.

“Troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru, led by the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion had on the 23rd of May 2020 conducted long range fighting patrol to clear identified terrorists’ camps or settlements around Rann general area,” it said.

According to the statement, the troops additionally moved further “to a recently identified Boko Haram terrorists’ infested settlement – Mudu village where 241 kidnapped victims – comprising of 105 women and 136 children were rescued from terrorists’ captivity. The village and other surrounding terrorists’ camps were equally destroyed by the courageous troops.

“However, strenuous efforts to locate the terrorists’ armoury in the general area were unsuccessful as the Armourer had escaped before the arrival of the forces. In the encounters, twelve (12) Boko Haram terrorists met their Waterloo during the battle at terrorists’ settlement at mudu general area.

“Similarly, on the 24th of May 2020, troops of 151 Battalion staged a successful night ambush operation at a recently identified terrorists crossing point at Firgi, where contact was made which led to an intense battle that resulted in the death of three (3) BHTs and several others were obviously wounded which forced them to abandon two motor cycles.

“In the same vein, following BHTs’ attack on military location on the 27th of May 2020, troops of 155 Battalion Banki Junction, carried out exploitation operation towards Sambisa forest in pursuit of fleeing BHTs.

“The dogged efforts of the troops yielded uncommon success as two (2) terrorists dead bodies, heavy cache of assorted arms, ammunition and other equipment were recovered. The recovered items are:
1 x Cobra APC, 1 x Dushka Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 x AK 47 rifle, 1 x FN rifle and 3 x Hand Grenades. Others are 2 x AK 47 magazines, 1 x FN rifle magazine, 78 x rounds of 12.7mm AA ammunition, 25 x rounds of 7.62mm special, 25 x rounds of locally fabricated Ak 47 rifle and a blanket.”

It further highlighted in summary, the number of terrorists killed in the attack as well as items recovered to included:

“20 x BH/ISWAP terrorists – were forced to permanent sleep, 1 x Cobra APC, 1 x Dushka AA Gun, 1 x AK 47 Rifle, 1 x FN Rifle, 3 x Hand Grenades, 2 x AK 47 Rifle magazines, 1 x FN Rifle Magazine, 78 x Rounds of 12.7mm AA ammunition and 25 x Rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Others are “25 x Rounds of locally fabricated ammunition, 2 x Motorcycle, 4 x Bicycles, 1 x Amplifier, 1 x Battery, 2 x Sewing Machines, 4 x BHTs’ Flags and 241 x Civilians Rescued (105 x Women and 136 x Children).”

The Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaiya, according to the statement, conveyed commendation of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai to the troops for their uncommon hard work and dedication and assured them “of the Chief of Army Staff’s unflinching support at all times and urged them to maintain the momentum to the very end.”