The troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have eliminated 22 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a coordinated joint offensive aimed at dislodging the terrorists camps in the Islands of Lake Chad region.
A top Military Intelligence Officer told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert in the Lake Chad that during the ground and aerial offensive involving troops of Nigeria, Sector 3 MNJTF, Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger Republic) and Cameroon, in its efforts to push closer to Tumbus, the troops had several encounters with the terrorists.
The sources said that the MNJTF Forces in Malam Fatori, Damasak and Wulgo have continued to push closer to the Lake Chad Tumbuns and as expected the Boko Haram/ISWAP have been resisting stiffly.
He said that the first encounter began “On 9 Apr 22, when the Task Force Malam Fatori Teams A (Nigeria) and B (Niger) married up in Abadam local government area and proceeded to the strong holds of the insurgents, forcing them to flee and leaving traces in the location. One terrorists was killed in the location.
On the 10th of April 2022, the terrorists reinforced and deployed their militants in two gun trucks but the The Task Force with support from advancing MNJTF troops from Malam Fatori, with support from the Air Task Force’s Mi35 and Mi-17 helicopter Gunship, nutrialized many of them.
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He said that on 11 April at about 1200hrs in same location, the Task Force came under another heavy attack from multiple guntrucks including one suicide bomber in an IED laden vehicle but the attack was robustly repelled by the gallant troops.
“The suicide vehicle and two other gun trucks were destroyed with several Boko Haram/ISWAP neutralised while 4 soldiers sustained injuries in the encounter.
On 11 April 22, the Task Force resumed its advancement and made contact with the terrorists short of Arinna Woje, a gun battle ensued which resulted to the elimination of 3 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, weapons, vehicle/IED workshop, several cannibalised vehicles were destroyed while one 105 Artillery gun was recovered.
On the same day, the troops also moved to conduct clearance and further exploitations at Zenari and Bula Kessa axis and thoroughly dominated the areas. Simultaneously, the Amphibious Task Force, Nigerian Component Darak continued waterways clearance from Fish Dam, while it’s Cemroonian Counter part were conducting same operations around the axis of Blangoua
The Task Force in Nguigmi Niger, continued minor clearance of localities around Sheleya. The force recovered and destroyed 15 Bags of Fish belonging to fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP.
A frontline source disclosed that the Deputy Force Commander Gen Abdu Assumane, Niger Republic and other Senior Officers of the MNJTF visited the troops in Arege and passed the personal commendation of the Force Commander to them.
Assumane urged them to continue to be resilient and bold and destroy the enemy. Resupplies of various types including combat supplies were taken to the troops.
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