By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Troops of the Nigerian Army engaged in Counter-terrorism operations have successfully exterminated 6 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and rescued 48 hostages.
In a significant blow to terrorists in the North East and North West, The troops had the encounter with the terrorists during a fighting patrol in the Fulatari and Kago villages of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The encounter led to a fierce exchange of fire, after which the overwhelmed terrorists fled the scene, abandoning their hostages . The quick action of the troops resulted in the liberation of the hostages, including one adult male, 20 adult females, and 27 children. Additionally, the troops recovered
a Phantom Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)
a 60mm mortar tube, a bandolier, three AK-47 rifle magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm x 51mm ammunition and a bicycle.
In a separate coordinated effort, troops, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid Forces Group, launched an offensive operation targeting terrorists’ enclaves in Garin Gulukos and Sabil Huda. The operation led to the seizure and depletion of the terrorists’ logistics, including a Hilux vehicle, a Canter Troops Carrying Vehicle, 7 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, 2 motorbikes, four bicycles, three solar panels, a power generating set, an HP laser jet printer and a mobile phone without a SIM card. A serviceable borehole within the terrorists’ enclave was also destroyed to disrupt their operations.
In another operation in Zamfara State troops conducting offensive operations to clear terrorists’ enclaves in Abaniyawa, Dokau,Yar Dutsi, Kungurki and Babba Saura areas in Kaura Namoda and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State encoutered the terrorists in Kaura Namoda. However, the terrorists fled during fire fight abandoning one AK 47 Rifle, one Magazine with 5 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one motor cycle. Troops further destroyed the terrorists’ life support structures.