The Defence high command has revealed how attempt by Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), terrorists to gain access to Nigerian territory with high calibre arms and other logistics, from Cameroon was thwarted by troops of Operations Hadin Kai.
The high command also disclosed that the troops killed five during exchange of fire, captured ten and recovered arms and other logistics, including bags of flour and detergent.
The Deputy Director, Defence Media Operation, Brigadier General Abdullahi Haruna Ibrahim, made this revelation during the bi-weekly operational briefing of kinetic and non kinetic activities of the military and others security agencies, across the federation in the last two weeks.
General Ibrahim, who represented the newly appointed Director, Defence Media Operation, Major General ES Buba, said that no fever than 967 terrorists comprising of 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint area of operations.
He said, troops also killed 24 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, captured 10, apprehended 39 collaborators and logistics suppliers and rescued 35 kidnapped civilians.
According to him, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East zone of the country have continued to intensify operations against terrorists, including their logistics suppliers and collaborators. In pursuit of this, troops, on June 22, 2023, following intelligence report on terrorists crossing from Cameroon to Nigeria, laid ambush along Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and recovered 1 bag each of flour and detergent. Furthermore, between June 15 and 20, 2023, troops arrested ten Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists collaborators and suppliers at different locations within the general area of operations and recovered some logistic supplies meant for the terrorists include mosquito nets, mosquito coils, 2 bags of sugar and the sum of Two Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty Five Naira (N246,235.00) only.
“Moreso, on June 18, 2023, troops arrested 2 suspected gun runners at Njimtilo check point along Maiduguri – Damaturu in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State and recovered 500 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1 locally made pistol, 1 vehicle, 3 mobile phones, 2 jack knives and other sundry items. Also, on 4 July 2023, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force conducted ambush operation at Mandara mountain, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Following the operation, troops ambush and neutralized a notorious Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists commander identified as NAOIB Gambo Jundullah and recovered 1 AK47 rifle loaded with 4 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
Equally, due to troops offensive operations against terrorists in the theatre of operations a total of 967 terrorists comprising of 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint area of operations”.
He added that consequently, within the weeks in focus troops, “recovered 19 AK47 rifles, 1 HK 21 rifle, 4 dane guns, 1 locally made pistol, 1 Unexploded Explosive Ordinance, 15 AK47 magazines, 582 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 41 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 25 cartridges and 1 tear gas. Other items recovered include 2 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists uniforms, 4 mini solar panels, 2 wooden boats, 2 cutlasses, 3 daggers, 26 mobile phones, 5 blankets, cooking utensils, 15 livestock, 4 motorcycles, 3 bags of grains, 2 bags of sugar, 5 cartons of dry fish, 1 bag of flour, 1 bag of detergent, 3 vehicle, 4 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 617 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, 30litres of groundnut oil, 2 bags of fertilizer, 56 sheets of zinc, mosquito nets, mosquito coils, box of matches and other valuable items as well as the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five Naira (N354,875.00) only”.
He added that all recovered items, arrested Boko Haram Terrorists logistics suppliers and rescued civilians have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action while captured terrorists and surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families were profiled and documented for further action.