From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Troops eliminated 17 members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and recovered assorted arms and ammunition in Borno State.
Spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai Joint Operation, Captain Reuben Kovangiya confirmed the operation in a statement in Maiduguri yesterday.
The statement said large quantity of the insurgents logistics were also disrupted in a sustained offensive operation by troops between July 23 and August 2 in various areas of the state.
According to Captain Kovangiya, the operations include fighting patrols, ambushes, clearance and logistics strangulation operations which stretched from Michika Local Government Area in Adamawa State; Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Magumeri and Biu Local Government Areas of Borno State.
He said the operations led to the killing of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, discovery and safe detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and seizure of large quantity of the terrorists logistics items.
“In a continued determination to deny Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists freedom to operate, troops of Operation Hadin Kai bolstered by close air support from the Air Component of OPHK and Civilian Joint Task Force sustained series of offensive operations across the North East theatre of operations from July 23–August 2.
“This led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, discovery and safe detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and seizure of large quantity of the terrorists logistics items,” the spokesperson said.
Kovangiya said troops discovered and safely detonated 14 IEDs planted by terrorists in various locations, meant to inflict casualties on innocent civilians and troops.
He added that during the period, troops of OPHK successfully ensured the return of 987 internally displaced persons to their ancestral community in Mandaragrau in Biu Local Government Area.
The sustained offensive operations, in line with the directives of the military high command, underscore the commitment and determined efforts by OPHK to ensure peace in the North East and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive, Kovangiya added.
Troops of OPHK conducted joint operations with Nigerien troops around Diffa-Duji-Damasak areas, giving a boost to the security and socio-economic activities of the general area.
