Troops Rescue Two, Arrest Five After ISWAP Attack On Borno Base

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have confirmed the death of an officer, following an ISWAP attack in Borno, the rescue of two abductees; arrest of five suspects and recovery of over N2.74m, one rifle, ammunition and other items across Adamawa and Yobe states.

The soldier was killed after suspected ISWAP fighters attacked Forward Operating Base Logomani in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack also reportedly affected a nearby police post and hospital in the area.

However, Captain Mohammed Goni, in a statement issued on operations conducted between July 7 and 8, confirmed the attack on the base.

Goni said, “During the same period, troops of Operation HADIN KAI deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Logomani in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State under Sector One successfully contained a coordinated attack by ISWAP terrorists.

“Although the insurgents briefly exploited a section of the base’s defensive perimeter during the intense firefight, the troops rapidly regrouped, mounted a determined counter-offensive and decisively expelled the attackers, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers sustained damage during the engagement.”

He added that reinforcements had been deployed, while exploitation operations continued around the base.

In a separate operation, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion rescued two abductees from a terrorist hideout in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The troops recovered N1.2m suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, food items and other supplies during the operation.

Goni also said troops of the 232 Battalion arrested a suspected criminal in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The arrest led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Troops of the 149 Battalion also arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

Recovered items included cash, a Volkswagen Golf vehicle, construction materials, household items and other supplies allegedly intended for terrorist elements.

Troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force also conducted a clearance operation around Wulgo in Borno State.

The troops recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs allegedly abandoned by fleeing insurgents.

Goni said six suspected ISWAP members surrendered alongside their families to troops of the 192 Battalion in Sector One.

Preliminary findings showed they fled Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area.

Recovered from the group were N1.54m, two Tecno mobile phones and other items.

Goni also disclosed that troops arrested a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier at Molai checkpoint with large quantities of medical supplies.

He said the medical supplies were being transported without the required clearance.

Goni further said, “In Yobe State, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion and hunters arrested another suspected BHT/ISWAP terrorist logistics supplier from Ngirya village of Tarmuwa LGA with five motorcycle tires.”

He added, “The suspect and items are in military custody for investigation.”

Investigations into the arrests and recovered items are ongoing, according to Goni.