The troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the firefight have neutralised forty-five terrorists from different encounters in the North East, Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this during the briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital saying that the briefing covered the period from 22nd December 2022 to 12th January 2023
General Danmadami said that “the terrorist’s Admin Leader at Guduf identified as Umate Usman was also captured with gunshot wounds”.
He noted that troops on fighting patrols ambushed Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists at different locations within the theatre of operation at Kwatara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, North East, Nigeria.
According to him, troops also had a meeting engagement with terrorists close to their deployment at Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area adding that during the engagement troops neutralised 5 terrorists while others fled.
He said that “troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 10 rounds of locally fabricated 7.62mm special, 10 refilled ammo, two hand grenades among other items”.
According to him, during the encounter, troops neutralised 3 terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“Troops exploited the area and recovered two AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one RPG tube and bomb, 94 rounds of 7.62mm belted NATO, 66 rounds of 7.62mm special, 30 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 6 motorcycles. Also, following an encounter with terrorists at Bulge village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, troops neutralized four terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered two PKT machine guns, two FN rifles, 15 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and a belt link containing 60 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition”, he said.
Furthermore, troops also had meeting engagements with terrorists while on patrol at Ngalzama village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Hymbula in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He noted that during these encounters troops neutralised seven terrorists while others fled in disarray and troops exploited the general areas and recovered four locally fabricated AK 47 rifles and 20 rounds of 7.62mm special.
The Director said that “troops rescued 35 kidnapped civilians comprising seven adult males, 12 adult females and 16 children as troops acting on credible information and raided Major Ali village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State”.
He added that during the operations, the abductors fled on sighting the troops,
Cumulatively, within the last three weeks, troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, four FN rifles, three locally pump-made action guns, five locally made pistols, three PKT machine guns, 124 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 139 rounds of 7.62mm special, 29 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 140mm bomb, 1 UXO 81mm mortar bomb, three RPG tubes and bombs, 5 x 36 hand grenade, five Dane guns and five FN magazines. Other items recovered are, 19 drums of Automotive Gas Oil, five drums of Premium Motor Spirit, 10 bags of assorted grains, 10 crates of soft drinks, 150 pieces of used clothing, 50 pieces of women’s fabrics, 50 children’s wear, 30 pairs of women foot wears, textiles materials, medical supplies, 21 motorcycles, 16 bicycles, two grinding machines, a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, 30 rustle cattle, the sum of Nine Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N938,580.00) and other sundry items.
General Danmadami noted that troops equally neutralised 25 terrorists, and arrested 18 terrorists as well as 21 terrorist logistics suppliers, two terrorist foreign informants and five kidnappers.
He added that troops also rescued 47 abducted civilians while a total of 377 Boko Haram terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising 52 adult males, 126 adult females and 199 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operations.
All recovered items, apprehended criminals; rescued civilians were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while the captured terrorists and surrendered Boko Haram terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
Equally, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted a series of air interdiction operations at terrorist hideouts, enclaves and camps.
Notably, an air interdiction operation was conducted at terrorist enclaves at Suwa, ArinaWoje and Amchile in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to him, the battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised with their structures destroyed in the strikes.
In a related development, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted an air interdiction operation at Mazuri in the Southern Lake Chad region and Gabchari located in Gazuwa area of Borno State on 7 January 2023.
He noted that the air interdiction operation was conducted based on credible intelligence that revealed that a good number of terrorists had relocated to the area following the recent flooding of the Tunbuns in the Lake and the current infighting between the terrorist factions.
Consequently, the location was bombarded and feedback revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralised with all their structures destroyed.
A similar operation was also carried out at Gabchari located in the Gezuwa area following credible information that the location was a Boko Haram hideout.
He said that “Information revealed that some terrorists who survived the air strikes at Mantari on 20 December 2022 were receiving medical treatment at the location”.
Accordingly, the location was equally bombarded with confirmed information that several of the terrorists were neutralised in the strikes while their facilities were also destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has commended the troops on their efforts in the various theatres of operation across the nation while urging the entire populace to continue to provide prompt and credible information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas to the military and other security agencies, in their quest to restore peace and security to the country.
Dominica Nwabufo
