In furtherance of operations to rid the Lake Chad Fringes of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have nuetralized 5 terrorists, inflicted gunshot wounds on several fleeing terrorists and arrested 19 terrorists sponsor, logistics suppliers and spies.
The operations according to a statement by the MNJTF were carried out in the Sectors comprising Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger.
Giving details, Captain Benn Raphael, Deputy Chief Military Public Information Officer said, “Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force Sectors have continued to maintain pressure on the terrorists through intense aerial and ground patrolling of logistics routes and mobility corridors.
“The doggedness and tenacity of troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has spurred more offensive operations to consolidate on the recent successes.
“In Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon), on 30 January 2023, the troops conducted a clearance operation in the locality of Touski along Limani – Bonderi ridge where they encountered and engaged Islamic state of West African Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists.
“During the encounter, one terrorist was killed and unconfirmed number of terrorists fled with gunshot wound while one rifle was recovered.
“In another development, on 31 January 2023 troops of the same sector arrested Boko Haram/Islamic of West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists’ logistics supplier at Kangarwa. He is undergoing interrogation at local Gendermerie custody.
“Also, on 22 February 2023 troops of Sector 1(Cameroon) conducted an ambush operation against terrorists fighters at Guedere Village. The troops neutralized 2 terrorists logistics suppliers during the operation.
“In Sector 2 MNJTF(Chad) the Sector has continued to dominate their AOR to prevent infiltration by the terrorists from the Lake Chad Islands and settlement. The intense patrolling by the troops deployed at Kangalam, Kaiga Ngoubaou and Bargalam has continued to deter the terrorists.
“During one of the patrols at Bargalam, on 8 February 2023 troops of the sector rescued 5 abducted children who escaped from the terrorist captivity in the Lake Chad Island.
“In Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria), on 4 February troops of the Sector deployed at Magumeri while on fighting patrol came in contact with Boko Haram Terrorists at Matta Koriri village.
“The troops engaged the terrorists with superior fire power which led to the terrorist withdrawal in disarray. In the encounter, 2 terrorists were neutralised and unconfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds.
“In addition, one AK 47 rifle, 3 AK 47 magazine, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions, one bandolier and one motor cycle were recovered.
“Also, on 7 February 2023 a raid team of the Sector arrested one Mallam Adam a suspected terrorist logistics merchant in Kukawa village.
Read Also:
- Why Lagos is Strategic to Nigeria’s National Security, Defence Architecture – Amb Buratai
- Fight Against Oil Theft – DHQ Dismisses Tompolo’s Allegation against Nigerian Navy as “Laughable”.
- Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Oluyede to Troops, “Your Welfare, Protection of Nigeria and Nigerians, My Topmost Priority
“His arrest led to the rounding up 3 other suspected suppliers in possession of 2 jerry cans of groundnuts oil, 2 sacks of soft drinks, cartons of biscuits, one bag of gari, one bag of rice, one bag of maize flour, local tea and other assorted ingredients.
“Similarly, on 9 February 2023 troops from the sector on patrol arrested one suspected BHT logistic supplier named Bana Mustapha in Monguno. The suspect supplies fuel to the terrorists from Jimery village.
“Also, on 20 February 2023 a patrol team from Mallam Fatori made contact with several terrorists who were marauding in villages in the vicinity of Mallam Fatori. The terrorists fled while troops recovered 7 AK 47 Rifles, one RPG Gun, one GPMGf, 4 bombs of different calibres and 12 rifle magazines.
“Similarly, on 22 February 2023 troops of the Sector deployed in Walada arrested one Shaibu Umoru who is suspected to be a terrorists spy.
“In the same vein, 24 February 2023 troops at Charamari arrested 5 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers conveying large quantity of fish in a cart along road Dumba Garin to Dole near Kwatan Mashayi enroute to Monguno for sale.
“In Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger), on 1 February 2023 troops of Sector 4 conducted fighting patrol to Boko Haram enclaves at Afofo. The terrorists fled while their camp was destroyed by the troop.
“Same day, troops on patrol at Kajijiwa arrested 3 BHT accomplices near Koiata Bororo village with bags of food items to be moved to BHT locations.
“Also, on 6 February 2023 troops of the sector arrested 4 BHT logistic suppliers at NguiGmi. The suspects were in two carts and two donkeys. Items recovered include 2 bags of sugar, 5 bags of rice, one bag with pharmaceutical products 2 cartons of cookies, packets of cube maggi, bags of dates and 15 roles of maggi.
Similarly, on 23 February 23, the MNJTF troops in Chetimari arrested 2 suspected terrorist logisticians in possession of the sum of 200,000 FCFA which was to be delivered to an accomplice in the town.
“Same day, troops of the Sector intervened during a clash between farmers and herders in the locality of Abdouri Kasoulouwa. The troops successfully de-escalated the tension and recovered one abandoned AK47 Rifle and magazine containing 6 rounds of ammunition.
“Similarly, same day troops of Sector 4 recovered 20 bags of rice which was hidden under palm trees near Lada village.
“Also, on 25 February 2023 troops of Sector 4 arrested a suspected terrorist of Chadian origin. The suspect was in possession of 54 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, the sum of 7500 FCFA and food items.
“In a related development, on 26 February 2023 troops of Sector 4 intercepted 129 terrorist families in Gueskerou. The group consists of 67 children, 3 aged people, 49 women and 10 men of Nigerian nationality.
“The intercepted terrorists families were moving from Sambisa Forest to the Lake Chad Islands in Niger to join the Bakoura terrorist faction.
The Force Commander Maj Gen AK Ibrahim commended the troops for their efforts and urged them not to relent. He applauded the improved security situation in the lake Chad basin region and commended Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria) for providing adequate security cover for the first leg of the Nigerian elections and urged them to sustain this for the second place and beyond.
He further enjoined sector commanders to maintain the tempo of activities in their various area of responsibilities to further break the will to fight of the remnant terrorist in the Lake Chad Basin Region.
