Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
IN a major offensive, Nigerian Army forces have dealt a significant defeat to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the restive North East, neutralising 12 terrorists including two senior commanders.
The Joint Task Force, operating under Operation HADIN KAI’s “Operation Desert Sanity V”, repelled a sophisticated ambush by insurgents along the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains axis on Thursday.
According to a press release from Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Task Force, the terrorists attempted a well-planned attack using roadside bombs and heavy gunfire. Troops from Sector 1 responded with “superior firepower,” killing ten militants.
Among the dead were two high-profile commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida.
A follow-up pursuit led to the seizure of a substantial cache of weaponry and supplies. Recovered items included multiple AK-47 rifles, a pump-action rifle, motorcycles, grenades, communication radios, magazines, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) charger, and bomb-making materials such as detonation cords and IED accessories.
In a separate engagement near Malkube, Sector 1 troops made further contact with insurgents, neutralising two more terrorists and recovering additional arms and communication devices without suffering any casualties.
Earlier on the same day, another Battle Group successfully intercepted and repelled BHT/ISWAP elements attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from Cameroon near Galakura, forcing a chaotic retreat. Exploitation of that area yielded more insurgent equipment.
The Military High Command has commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational tempo. The statement confirmed that troops’ “morale and combat efficiency remain high” and that operations will be sustained across the entire region.
This series of successful engagements marks a notable setback for the terrorist groups in their former strongholds, significantly degrading their resources and freedom of movement.
