•Seven ‘bandits’ neutralised in Zamfara
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai and 199 special forces battalion in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have reportedly killed 35 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in Sambisa Forest.
Counter-insurgency publication in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, reported on Sunday that troops invaded Boko Haram hideouts during clearance operations that began from Awulari on April 17.
Quoting Intelligence sources, the publication said the operations progressed into other identified insurgents’ camps around Garno and Alafa, where troops overwhelmed the terrorists with superior firepower and killed 18 of them.
However, a member of CJTF was said to have died during the gun duel.
The troops further “stormed and cleared Izzah and Farisu on April 19”, where they “ferociously engaged dozens of the resisting terrorists in heavy gun battle.
“The troops overpowered the terrorists after about 30 minutes of gun battle, killing 18 of them and recovered several motorcycles, AK47 rifles and an anti-aircraft gun,” it said.
Zagazola said the troops further moved to Farisu where they eliminated an additional eight terrorists.
The publication said three terrorists were killed by the troops in Alafa including one commander simply identified as “Salafi”, while two motorcycles were recovered.
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“On April 20, in Ukuba, the ground troops made contact with another set of insurgents, killing seven, while others escaped with bullet wounds. The troops recovered one truck and two 122 artillery guns.
“The gallant troops moved further to clear Garin Glucose where they neutralised additional two terrorists while others hastily withdrew and avoided making contact with the approaching troops.”
The sources told the publication that the troops “successfully” cleared terrorists’ hideouts in Garno, Alafa, Alafa D, Garin Doctor, Njumia, Izzah, Farisu, Somalia, Ukuba, Garin Glucose, Garin Ba’aba, and Bula Abu Amir communities in Bama LGA in Borno state.
Some women that were held captive by the insurgents were said to have been rescued.
Similarly, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji on Saturday neutralised seven suspected terrorists, arrested two others and destroyed several of their camps in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Director, Defence Madia Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the feat was achieved during an encounter with the bandits at Birnin Tsaba, Tsanu, Lamba, Gabas, Gidan Kaso, and Dumburum Forest.
He said the troops recovered seven motorcycles, two empty AK47 magasines and a radio.
Danmadami said the troops conducted a follow-up operation at Shinkafi, after arresting a terrorists’ informant on Friday, April 21.
“Items recovered from the suspects include one motorcycle and three mobile phones,” he said.