Troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have neutralized 30 ISWAP terrorists in Kajiwa, a village in the Lake Chad region.
The spokesman of the Force Col. Muhammad Dole, said the operation was carried out by troops of sector 4 Niger Republic when they came in contact with some members of Boko Haram Terrorists in the area of Kaji Jiwa, after a heavy gun battle, 30 terrorists were killed and 15 AK-47 rifles, 2 belts of 222 ammunitions and 179 cartridges, 2 cell phones and 1 Boko Haram flag were seized, the troops also arrested 11 terrorists, including 3 minors, who are currently undergoing interrogation.
He said that the suspects are undergoing investigations before handing over to the right authorities.
The troops also repelled an attack by the terrorists on their base at Doutchi, another village in the Lake Chad.
‘In separate encounter, some elements of the BHT/ISWAP attempted to infiltrate a defended location of sector 4 (Niger Republic) near Doutchi, but were swiftly repelled by a well-coordinated action between the Air Taskforce and ground troops. At the end of the encounter, 3 of their gun trucks were destroyed and one gun truck was recovered, and several insurgents neutralized.
‘Sadly, however, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice and 6 others were wounded in action. The injured soldiers are currently receiving treatment at a military facility.
‘It is very obvious, that the ongoing offensive actions have significantly curtailed the terrorists’ freedom of movement and actions,’ Dole explained.
Troops of “Taskforce Arege”, which was made up of Nigerian and Nigerien troops, have continued with clearance operations to effectively dominate the general area of Fedondiya and Arege vicinity. Pushing further ahead, there was no contact or resistance, as the elements of BHT continued to abandon their enclaves and makeshifts hamlets and flee.
‘Nevertheless wherever the troops came across such make shift shelters concealed under trees suspected to be enemy outposts, the makeshift houses were thoroughly ransacked and immediately set ablaze before troops continued with their advance.
‘Likewise, Sector 1 (Cameroon) Amphibious Taskforce, have step up riverine patrols and assaults against the BHT elements in the general area of Tchol and Chaka.
In the course of these operations on sighting the advancing patrol teams, some suspected terrorists logisticians fled and abandoned some canoes fully loaded with bags of foodstuff (grains) and other materials being ferried to the criminals.
‘All the items were confiscated and destroyed while the troops continued with the patrols on the waterways to block the possible escape and supply routes used by the terrorists.
‘Meanwhile, the Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Taskforce has extolled the troops professionalism and uncommon display of courage and bravery.
‘He made the commendation when he visited the troops at the MNJTF Forward Operations Base in Arege near the Lake Chad.
‘He said that, their dominance of Arege was encouraging but urged them to conduct aggressive mobile operations to pin down the enemy in the Lake Chad islands.
The FC equally commended the well-coordinated synergy of efforts between the Air Taskforce and ground forces. He assured the Governor that the MNJTF troops will continue to work hard as a team with the ultimate aim of defeating the terrorists in the region.
‘The Governor who was visibly elated with the visit commended the FC and his team for the guidance and directions given to the troops, which is being translated to victory in the battle field.
‘He pointed out that some bad elements in the society are collaborating with the BHT, which is causing adverse effects on the smooth conduct of the operation.
