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Tag: Timothy Antigha

  • MNJTF eliminates 27 Boko Haram Terrorists

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have neutralized 27 Boko Haram terrorists in coordinated operations in the northern parts of Borno state.

    Spokesman of the MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said the troops also recovered armed and ammunition from them.

    Colonel Antigha explained in a statement that the operations leading to the onslaught against the terrorists were in tandem with the resolutions and agreements reached by the Heads of State of Countries of the Lake Chad Basin to create a safe and secure environment in areas affected by Boko Haram activities.

    Colonel Antigha said : “You will recall that at the summit of the Heads of State and Government of countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission held in N’Djamena, Chad, last November, multilateral agreements were fine – tuned and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) was repositioned to deliver on its mandate, which is to:

    “Create a safe and secure environment in the areas affected by the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorists groups, in order to significantly reduce violence against civilians and other abuses, including sexual and gender based violence, in full compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, among others.

    “In pursuance of this mandate, the MNJTF launched Operation YANCIN TAFKI on January 22, 2019.

    Read Also: Troops kill 27 Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms, ammunition

    “Accordingly, varying degrees of successes continues to be recorded since the operation started. Over the weekend troops of the MNJTF again inflicted heavy human and equipment casualties on Boko Haram Terrorists in an engagement along Bukar Mariam, Saada and Tumbum Babba axis in Northern Borno. ”

    Colonel Antigha said 27 terrorists were neutrilized while five AK 47 riffles were recovered from them.

    He listed other weapons recovered as one AR Galil Riffles, Three G3 Riffles, two General Purpose Machine Gun .

    Others are two Anti-Aircraft Gun, four Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG 7) Tubes, one M21 Riffles, RPG 7 Bombs, ,Assorted Ammunition – over 1000 Rounds.

    According to Col. Antigha one Toyota L/C – was destroyed, one Nissan Gun Truck,  one Toyota Gun Truck and a Motor Cycle were also destroyed during the encounter

    He further said: “In the light of the forgoing, MNJTF wishes to emphasize that  Boko Haram represents evil and an existential threat to everyone in the Lake Chad Area, irrespective of religion or creed.

    “Therefore, the general public and the media in particular are enjoined to remain in solidarity with the military, as the ongoing Operation YANCIN TAFKI is intensified.

    “The MNJTF and national forces are fighting a just war and will certainly conquer what is left of Boko Haram establishment.”

     

  • Boko Haram in disarray, fighters stranded without supplies – MNJTF

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Chad, says the leadership of the Boko Haram terrorists group is currently overwhelmed and in disarray.

    Col, Timothy Antigha, the Chief of Military Public Information of the MNJTF, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Antigha said the group was overwhelmed after a sustained air and land attacks in the ongoing “Operation `Yancin Tafki’’ in the Lake Chad region.

    He also said ex-fighters, who were “receiving humane attention divulged that morale and fighting spirit of the group’s fighters is very low.’’

    Antigha further quoted ex-fighters as saying that development is as a result of growing insecurity and inability to replenish stranded fighters in the islands with food, medicine and ammunition.

    The MNJTF spokesman said an integral part of the operation is a series of well “coordinated day and night Human Intelligence as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.’’

    He said the missions were being conducted by the Air Forces of the Lake Chad Basin countries- Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.

    Antigha explained that this led to devastating air interdiction which destroyed Boko Haram logistic facilities and fighters in Tumbum, Gini, Abadam, Arege, Tumbun rego and Dagaya environs between March 7 and March 11.

    He added that in the last four weeks of the operation, 70 Boko Haram vehicles; mostly gun trucks and facilities such as fuel dumps, weapons and ammunition were destroyed.

    “Furthermore, since the commencement of operation Yancin Tafki, several terrorists have surrendered while others are battle-weary and have indicated interest to surrender.

    “Morale of fighters is at its lowest, while desperation has also set in, leading to intrigues and in-fighting,’’ Antigha said.

    He said reliable sources confirmed that internal crisis led to change of Boko Haram leadership on March 3.

    Antigha said the Islamic State West Africa Province or ISWAP sacked the Boko Haram factional Chief, Abu Mus’ab Al Barnawi and replaced him with Abu Abdullahi Ibn Umar Al Barnawi.

    According to him, the frequent execution of Boko Haram commanders and fighters which have been observed in the past few months as well as recent replacement of its leadership are clear indications of effectiveness of past and ongoing operation Yancin Tafki.

    Antigha said the joint task force is poised to sustain current operations until Boko Haram capitulates and its leadership is brought to justice. (NAN)

  • Olonisakin visits wounded troops in Chad

    Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has visited wounded troops engaged in the war against Boko Haram insurgents in Lake Chad region.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Chief of Military Public Information, Multi National Joint Task Force ( MNJTF ), made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    Antigha stated that Olonisakin visited Nigerian, Camerounian and Chadian troops receiving treatment at hospitals in N’Djamena, Chad.

    He said the troops on treatment sustained injuries in the ongoing Operation AMNI FAKAT in Lake Chad region.

    He noted that Olonisakin visited troops on admission at the Renaissance Hospital, N’Djamena and commended them for their sacrifice.

    “Gen. Olonisakin expressed the appreciation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the sacrifices of the wounded soldiers and assured that every effort would be made to ensure their speedy recovery.

    “The Chief of Defence Staff also visited wounded Cameroonian and Chadian troops at the Military Hospital, N’Djamena; where he commended them for their courage and doggedness in fighting alongside Nigerian and Nigerien  troops, in a sub regional effort to rid the Lake Chad Basin of violent extremism and terrorism.”

    Antigha added that Olonisakin also donated drugs and dresses toward the up keep of the wounded troops.

    According to him, Operation AMNI FAKAT was launched by the Task Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, in the past two weeks.

    The operation was designed to flush out Boko Haram terrorists from their last stronghold in the Lake Chad Basin.

    NAN

  • Troops kill 20 insurgents, rescue 100 civilians

    Troops kill 20 insurgents, rescue 100 civilians

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said its troops had killed 20 Boko Haram insurgents in a clearance operation in the Lake Chad Basin.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Antigha said that the troops captured 17 insurgents, rescued 100 people, recovered vehicles and ammunition.

    He said the six soldiers that sustained injuries in the operation were referred to military medical facility for treatment.

    He said the operations were conducted in the past two weeks in Islands in Lake Chad region to crush Boko Haram insurgents inhabiting the islands.

    “In continuation of Operation DEEP PUNCH 2, designed to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists inhabiting remote Islands in Lake Chad basin lying within Nigerian territory, troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, supported by soldiers of the Armed Forces Strike Group have inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The operation which commenced about two weeks ago preceded by coordinated air and artillery bombardments of islands and localities occupied by terrorists.

    “The insurgents sneak into Magumeri, Kauram and other locations to loot property, attack security personnel and villagers.

    “Islands and villages cleared so far include: Arena Chiki, Chikun Gudu, Arena Waje, Sa’ada and Juwe.”

    Antigha disclosed that the rescued civilians included 100 elderly men, women and children, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that most of the rescued persons were held hostage and forced to work in the farms.

    The army spokesman listed the ammunition recovered to include one Mercedes Benz Truck; two gun trucks, two pick up vans, one Anti – Aircraft machine gun, five AK-47 riffles, three Fabrique Nationals (FN) Riffles, two G3 Riffles and one Pump Action Riffle.

    Others are: one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, two bombs, two Very High Frequency (VHF) Radios and one Night Vision Goggle.

    The troops also recovered 55 rounds of 5.56 X 45 mm ammunition, 5 Bangalore Torpedo, Two 120mm Mortar Bombs, and 1000 rounds of 7.62 mm Ball Metal Link ammunition.

    Other ammunition included 55 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 108 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, two memory cards, two hydraulic jacks and a 1.5 amph battery.

    NAN

  • Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says it’s troops killed three Boko Haram cattle rustlers at Mairari village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 8 Task Force Division, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

    Antigha said that the troops on Sunday ambushed the insurgents cattle rustling syndicate while trying to cross into Maiduguri.

    He said that the insurgents were on their way to the Lingir village market to sell the rustled cattle.

    Antigha disclosed that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds while one soldier sustained injuries in the encounter.

    He explained that one other Boko Haram insurgent was also killed by the troops at Buruwa village.

    Atigha added that the troops recovered assorted ammunitions, dresses and a horse from the insurgents.

    “In furtherance of clearance exercise of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, troops of 8 Division Mobile Strike Team (MST) deployed at Forward Operations Base Mairari, on Sunday 8th October, 2017; ambushed a Boko Haram terrorists’ cattle rustling syndicate trying to cross into Maiduguri to sell the rustled cattle, at Lingir village.

    “During the encounter, the ambush party neutralized three Boko Haram terrorists, while some of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops recovered 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 Magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 metal box containing clothes and a horse.

    “Unfortunately, one soldier sustained injury during the encounter. The injured soldier has been evacuated to the 8 Task Force Division Medical centre at Monguno, where he is receiving further medical attention.

    “The MST also followed up with pursuit up to Buruwa village around Gassawa general area, where they neutralized another Boko Haram terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle from him”.

    NAN