As the military continue with its onslaught against Boko haram and ISWAP terrorists in North-east Nigeria, more of the terrorists have been neutralised, while others have been arrested and many others have surrendered to the military.
This was achieved through coordinated air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force component of Operation Lafiya Dole and sustained artillery bombardments and offensive against the terrorists enclaves by the ground troops.
Giving the breakdown of recent achievements against the adversary, Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche said a Boko Haram/ISWAP fighter, Muhammadu Abubakar (AKA Babagana) surrendered to troops of 242 Battalion deployed at Charlie 6 Check Point in Mongonu, Borno State, on 29 May 2020.
He said the 19-year-old Babagana revealed during a preliminary interrogation that he joined the terrorists group about a year ago at Shaharam, and had participated in the attack on Tumbun Shaje.
According to Enenche, another Boko Haram fighter, Malam Adamu Yahaya (AKA Saad Karami) surrendered to troops of 242 Battalion in Mongonu on 24 May 2020. He added that a 35-year-old ISWAP commander, Muhammadu Kabudumi (AKA Amir Sabat), also surrendered to the troops 242 Battalion in Monguno Borno State, on the same day.
Enenche said Kabudumi confessed to joining the Boko Haram sect in 2015 but denied participating in any of the sects’ operations.
“On 28 May 2020, troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru deployed in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State conducted long range clearance operations to Gulwa, Diime, Musiri, Wuri Bari, Mada, Sangaya, Jarawa, Mutu, Isari and Mudu Villages of the same Local Government Area.
“At Isari Village, troops uncovered a Boko Haram criminals’ hideout with well constructed battle trenches. Th troops captured three of the bandits and recovered one AK 47 Rifle loaded with a magazine containing 2 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 swords, one cutlass, one axe, a set of arrows and charms,” Enenche said.
Onslaught in North west
In the same statement, the Coorsinator Defence Media Operations said the military in conjunction with the Nigeria Police have made some progress in the fight against bandits in the North west.
Disclosing details, he said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI deployed at Forward Operation Base Marafa raided an abandoned makeshift hut in Karama village and recovered one AK 47 Rifle and 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition Also, on 27 May 2020. He said no arrest was made, but it was suspected that the bandits were using the location as an armoury.
” In another development, on 27 May 2020, troops of 17 Brigade in conjunction with elements of the Nigeria Police stormed a bandits’ hideout in Dumburun Forest and rescued three abducted victims. During the operation the gallant troops neutralised one bandit and recovered one FN Rifle mounted with magazine while others fled. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families,” Enenche said.
“On the same day, following intense pressure mounted on bandits by the resilient troops of Operation KATSINA, some repentant bandits pleaded to surrender their weapons as well as jettison their criminal acts. Accordingly, 5 AK 47 Rifles, one Sniper Rifle, one FN Rifle, one PKT Machine Gun, one spare PKT Machine Gun barrel, one Pistol and one block engine of PKT Machine Gun were surrendered by the bandits.
“Other surrendered items include 5 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 2 FN Rifle magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted also surrendered to troops of Operation KATSINA.”
He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has congratulated the troops for their “resilience, courage and dedication to the noble cause of defending our fatherland against the terrorists.”
