Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have uncovered a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) production site with five vehicles in various stages of completion during a clearance operation at the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) camp in the fringes of Lake Chad region, Zagazola Learnt.
A Counter Insurgency Expert in the Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama said a military intelligence officer confirmed that the discovery was made by troops of the MNJTF forward operations Base Arege, comprising Nigerian and Nigeriene troops of Task Forces Damasak and Mallam Fatori at Fedondiya on April 13, 2022.
He said Boko Haram/ISWAP used Fedondiya as one of its weapons dumped sites which is located about 10 kilometers North of Arege in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno state.
The source said that the Boko Haram /ISWAP insurgents fled the camp before the troops of the Multi National Joint Task Force(MNJTF), arrived the location, leaving all their belongings as well as the traces of their foot print.
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The sources said, “The vehicles suspected to be used as VBIEDs, were modified and fabricated with ion parts and wires running from the inside to the trunk.
He noted that it was blatantly obvious the vehicles was intended to be used as a VBIED against own advancement troops.
The Intelligence Officer disclosed also that the Task Force uncovered and destroyed an alarm system, bunkers and trenches that were used to evade own troops air attacks in the location.
“The troops also found some abandoned motorcycles, a warehouse storage facility with large quantities of assorted grains, some quantity of the Boko Haram and ISWAP uniforms and many civilian vehicles stolen from commuters on the highways within the Northeast.
Other items found in the camp of the insurgents included an ambulance stolen during an attack on Damasak.
The troops of the MNJTF under the Operation Lake and Desert Sanity have continued its exploitations in massive terrain; complex waterways; tunnels; Hills, Islands, deep forest and waste lands aimed at making the Lake Chad and Sahel region untenable for the Boko Haram/ISWAP.
The MNJTF renewed and massive clearance operations was to completely decimate the Boko Haram/ISWAP elements that have terrorised the lake Chad basin areas hitherto unchallenged by ground forces have been gaining more
Frontline sources said that the Force Commander of the MNJTF has urged the troops to continue to be bold and resilient until the insurgents surrender or are totally wiped out.
