The Nigerian Army Tuesday said it has succeeded in neutralising 75 Boko Haram/ ISWAP insurgents in the last few weeks as troops carried out aggressive clearance operations, ambushes, robust day and night patrols.
Addressing journalists on the successes recorded so far at a press conference held at the Army Super Camp Headquarters, Ngamdu, the acting director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, said the troops in the various sectors of the theatre have continued to carry out their tasks relentlessly.
“The successes so far achieved wouldn’t have been possible without the sacrifice, commitment and gallantry exhibited by the well motivated troops some of whom have paid the supreme sacrifice.
“Within this period, the troops have carried out aggressive clearance operations, ambushes, robust day and night patrols in order to finally decimate the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals.
” As a result of the aggressive offensive action carried out by the troops, several terrorist elements have been neutralised as a large number of their equipment were captured while some were equally destroyed in the process.
“In this regard, a total of 75 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralised within this period.
” In terms of the criminals equipment 4 x Gun Trucks, 1 x Bedford Truck, 3 x Anti Aircraft guns, were destroyed.
The captured weapons include: 6 x Gun Trucks, 4 x Anti Aircraft guns, 1x PKT gun, 4 x General Purpose Machine Guns,1 x Automatic Grenade Launcher, 1 x Dushka Gun, 1 x Light Machine Gun, 48 x AK 47 Rifles, 1x Locally made Pistol and 10 x AK 47 magazines.
“Furthermore, a large cache of ammunition was captured.
This include: 1 x 36 Hand Grenade, 567 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 448 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 50 x Rocket Propelled Grenade bombs, 17 locally manufactured rounds, 3 shells for making Improvised Explosive Device, 1 x Smoke Grenade and 2 x belts of PKT rounds. Other assorted non lethal items were also captured from the criminals,” Gen. Benard said.
The defence media director added that, “Regrettably, one officer and 2 gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while 4 other soldiers were wounded in action over the period.
However, the wounded soldiers have since been evacuated to a military medical facility and they are currently responding to treatment.”
“The troops of Operation FIRE BALL under Operation LAFIYA DOLE are hereby commended for their resilience, doggedness and commitment exhibited since the beginning of the Operation.
“They are equally encouraged not to rest on their oars but build on the successes recorded so far”, Gen. Onyeuko said.
He however assured the entire populace of the North east region of the Nigerian military high command determination to finally root out the remnants of BHT/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves in the zone.
While commending the media for their coverage of military assignments, saying, to you the members of the press, I want to thank you most profoundly for your cooperation and commitment in covering our activities.
You are well appreciated.”
