* 20 More terrorists Neutralized, 241 Abductees Rescue
In continuation with the war on terror in the North East Theatre of Operation, Sector 1 troops Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued with long range fighting patrols and ambushes across their area of responsibility with commendable successes been achieved by neutralizing more Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, arms and Ammunition recoveries and in some cases kidnapped victims were largely Freed.
Specifically, in the ongoing operation “KANTANA JIMLAN”, based on credible intelligence exposing 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.
During the operation, contact was made 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.
Additionally, the troops 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 was 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.
In summary, the number of BHTs neutralised and items captured are:
1. 20 x BH/ISWAP terrorists – were forced to permanent sleep
2. 1 x Cobra APC
3. 1 x Dushka AA Gun
4. 1 x AK 47 Rifle
5. 1 x FN Rifle
6. 3 x Hand Grenades
7. 2 x AK 47 Rifle magazines
8. 1 x FN Rifle Magazine
9. 78 x Rounds of 12.7mm AA ammunition
10. 25 x Rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
11. 25 x Rounds of locally fabricated ammunition
12. 2 x Motorcycle
13. 4 x Bicycles
14. 1 x Amplifier
15. 1 x Battery
16. 2 x Sewing Machines
17. 4 x BHTs’ Flags
18. 241 x Civilians Rescued (105 x Women and 136 x Children)
The Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaiya has commended the troops of the Sector for their sustained successes and urged other Sectors to brace up to ensure the speedy defeat of terrorism in Nigeria.
Gen Faruk also conveyed the 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.