Ops Hard Strike: Troops hit Boko Haram terrorists in Borno; eliminate scores, recover arms, ammunition

Troops on clearance operations in the North East, have engaged recalcitrant Boko Haram terrorists in several communities in Borno, eliminating several of them and recovering several arms and ammunition with two soldiers sustaining injuries.

Making the disclosure on Sunday, Col Sagir Musa, Acting Ditector, Army Public Relations said, “Troops of 121 and 192 Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in collaboration with Civilian JTF and local vigilantes, on the 10th of May 2019 continued with clearance operations to end Boko Haram terrorism.

“Consequently, the troops effectively cleared Surdewalla, Ranwa, Baladayo, Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages of Borno State in a simultaneous operation code named “Operation Hard Strike”.

“At Ranwa 11, contact was made with the terrorists, three of them were neutralized, while many were obviously wounded and others escaped.

“Simultaneously, troops of 192 Battalion advanced along Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages where they cleared a scout of Boko Haram terrorists.

“A make up shift shelter for suspected insurgents was destroyed.

“Similarly, on the same Friday the 10th of May 2019, based on credible intelligence, troops of 212 Tank Battalion under the operational command of 7 Division Garrison deployed at Forward Operation Base Gajigana ambushed terrorists attempting to infiltrate Gajigana town/troops’ location.

“Unconfirmed number of terrorists were exterminated.

“Two soldiers were wounded during the encounter, are stable and receiving treatment in a military hospital.

“Additionally, 117 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with the Civilian JTF cleared Mboa, Mboa-Kura, Yarchida, Bombula, Tshata and Bamzir villages.

“At Furfur village, troops had exchanged fire with BHTs which led to the death of 1 terrorist and the under-listed items were recovered, 1 AK 47 Rifle, 3 Magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 1 Magazine Bandollier

‘There was no casualty on the troops or the Civilian JTF.

“The General Officer Commanding 7 Division Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, while on assessment visit to FOB Gajigana, enjoined the troops to remain decisive and intensify efforts in eliminating the remnants of the terrorists.

“He also conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Army Staff to them and the entire troops of the Theatre Command for the latest successes in the fight against terrorism.

“Nigerian Army uses this medium to thank those who provided the information that led to the recent successes achieved so far, and urged members of the public to continue to be more forthcoming with useful information about the terrorists in their respective localities to the nearest army location or security agency for necessary action”.

Sagir Musa
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations