Two soldiers have been killed and three injured as troops of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad region continued their onslaught against terrorists, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The deceased soldiers said to be from Nigeria and the Republic of Chad, were killed by terorrists in operations conducted between February 10 and 20.
It was gathered that the four sectors of the MNJTF also neutralised several suspected terrorists and recovered high caliber firearms, ammunition and other weapons in the simultaneous clearance operations that denied the terorrists the freedom to wreak havoc.
Confirming their deaths in a statement yesterday, the Chief of Military Public Information, Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, commended their gallantry in battle.
He noted that the MNJTF significantly stepped up its clearance operations within the Lake Chad basin, with a view to strengthen free movement and rejuvenate economic activities.
He said the initiative led to the surrender of many terrorists and the interception of a major arms haul meant for insurgents’ use.
According to him, all four sectors recorded various successes which portrayed the surge in troop effectiveness through the surrender of terrorist elements, offensive operations and curbing of arms smuggling.
He said MNJTF troops of Sector 1, Mora, Cameroon, triumphed in a notable engagement at the locality of Soueram.
This offensive, Abdullahi said, resulted in the death of two Boko Haram terrorists and the seizure of 92 linked ammunition belts.
“Complementing this success, on the 10th and 19th of February 2024, two Boko Haram members each surrendered to troops in Sectors 2 and 3, stationed in Litri, Chad, and Doron Baga, Nigeria respectively.
“The items recovered from these 4 repentant insurgents included a collection of arms and ammunition, significantly consisting of an AKM rifle, an AK-47 rifle, 3 magazines, and 29 rounds of 7.62-millimetre special ammunition.
“The MNJTF’s persistence in offensive campaigns brought additional victories, with notable operations conducted by the troops of Sector 2 Bagasola, Chad.
“During a high-impact offensive at the locality of Tchokou, a Lake Chad Island, the troops inflicted casualties on Boko Haram elements and recovered three “teke-teke” canoes among other terrorists’ logistics items.
“Furthermore, in separate operations on 19 February 2024, troops recovered five 155 millimetre high explosive shells used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, debilitating the operational capabilities of the terrorist factions in the region.
“In a concurrent strategic move, the Chadian Air Force, guided by reliable intelligence, conducted a successful air strike on 20th February 2024. The mission targeted Boko Haram strongholds along the southern rim of Lake Chad, near the Chad-Cameroon-Nigeria border, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of terrorist equipment on waterways. “Several terrorists were seen jumping into the Lake from their boats and are believed to have died.
“In Sector 4 Diffa, Niger Republic, capitalizing on precise intelligence, the troops effectively disrupted an arms smuggling attempt north of Nguigmi near the Niger-Chad borderline on 10th February 2024.
“Their timely intervention led to the confiscation of a substantial arms cache comprising
six AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition, dealing a substantial blow to the clandestine network supporting the insurgency.
“Sadly, despite these achievements, two soldiers, one each from Nigeria and Chad paid the supreme price while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“We commend their gallantry and pray for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace.
“The MNJTF remains devoted to its mandate of restoring peace and security while fostering the conditions necessary for economic growth and the free movement of people within the Lake Chad basin.
‘These recent achievements underscore the task force’s resolve and effort in confronting the challenges posed by terrorist activities. “The MNJTF will continue its comprehensive approach, combining military action with collaborative efforts to support affected communities in overcoming the threats to regional stability,” said Abdullahi.
Relatedly, the Nigerian Army said troops on operations at Yadi Forest, Kaduna State, neutralised a suspected terrorist and destroyed the criminals’ camps concealed along the river lines in the forest.
The troops recovered arms and ammunition during the operation that was conducted on Tuesday, February 20, the army said.
Spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, said troops encountered an ambush staged by the terrorists during the operation.
“But responded with a heavy volume of fire neutralizing one of them, while others scattered in disarray,” Nwachukwu said.
According to the army spokesperson, the troops, during the operation, recovered two Ak-47 rifles, six Ak-47 magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 331 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 PKT machine gun ammunition, and two PKT machine gun ammunition links.
“Other items recovered include three motorbikes, two power generating sets, two desert camouflages, a pair of desert boots, leg and hand chains used for fastening kidnap victims, nine Baofeng radios with none chargers, one Talisman vest, one International Passport, two Voter’s cards and two National Identity cards,” he said.
Nwachukwu said troops were still on the trail of the fleeing terrorists to “rid the forest of terrorists’ activities in a renewed effort to restore peace and stability.”
