From Ndidi Okodili, Abuja
Troops have decimated the memberships of insurgents and bandits in separate encounters in Borno and Katsina states, it was learnt on Sunday.
Operation Lafiya Dole eliminated top commanders and members of the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche.
Maj.-Gen. Enenche said the troops at the weekend, killed six terrorists at Kolofata, a community on Republic of Cameroon border, in an attempt to cross towards Sambisa Forest axis.
In Katsina, troops of Operation Sahel Sanity 17 bandits and arrested a number of others.
Making the disclosure in a statement also yesterday in Abuja, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said the troops of Combat Team 1, on Saturday, with the support of Air Task Force advanced, captured a notorious bandits’ stronghold known as Dangote Camp, located deep in the forest in Jibia Local Government Area.
Speaking on the Borno feat, Maj.-Gen. Enenche listed the weapons and equipment recovered from the terrorists as three AK47 rifles, a Magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda car, one motorcycle and eight bicycles.
Other items recovered include three mobile phones with multiple SIM and memory cards as well as five copies of the Holy Qur’an, among others.
Gen. Enenche added that the troops also intercepted a letter written in Hausa Language, addressed to Abu Fatima, one of the top Boko Haram commanders, documents and other logistics.
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He said: “Shortly after the successful operation, the enemy communication intercept confirmed killing of a top Boko Haram Commander named Sayinna and other fighters during the encounter.
“The other slayed terrorists were suspected to be Imam and Mansur to Abu Fatima who hibernate in Sambisa Forest.”
According to him, troops continue their onslaught on the terrorists in the northeast, killing eight prominent leaders of the sect in their futile attempt to infiltrate Army Super Camp, Damasak.
According to him, the successes of the military, since the turn of the year 2020 is causing confusion and disharmony in the insurgents’ camps.
“This is evident by the frequent changes in ISWAP leadership within a short period of time, and this is largely due to the several losses inflicted on them by own troops in both men, weapons and equipment,” he said.
According to him, top Boko Haram/ISWAP leaders were killed during the encounter at Damasak and buried by the terrorists at Goski village in the early hours of July 3.
He listed the commanders to include: Tumbun Dabino (Ba Issoufou), Tumbun Bororo (Amir Batam), Tumbun Jaki (Almustapha), Tumbun Bagaruwa (Modou Kollo), Dogon Tchoukou (Issah), Tumbun Rakke (Mustapha Woulama) Tumbun Dila (Boukar Kowa) and Tumbun Mita (Abou Aisha).
Brig-Gen. Onyeuko said the initial resistance by bandits was effectively subdued by the superior tactics and dexterity of the troops which resulted in heavy casualty on the bandits.
He said: “At the end of the encounter, 17 bandits were neutralised while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds as evident by the trails of blood along their escape routes.”
“Equally, five AK 47 Rifles, 3 Dane guns, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 152 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and seven motorcycles were captured from the fleeing bandits.
“Regrettably, one brave officer and two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while four other soldiers were wounded in action.
“However, the wounded in action soldiers are currently responding positively to treatment in a military medical facility.”
Gen. Onyeuko said the troops, while conducting fighting patrol on Faskari – Sheme – Dandume Road in Katsina, arrested five suspected bandits, including a woman.
He disclosed that one of the suspects, Bashir Usman, claimed to be a policeman during interrogation but could not validate his claim with any form of identification.
According to him, Usman was apprehended with one AK 47 Rifle loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition while riding on a motorcycle.
Onyeoku said that other items recovered from Usman, include a handset and the sum of N6, 350, adding that all the suspects were presently undergoing preliminary interrogation.
The military spokesperson further disclosed that the troops on Friday made an aggressive pursuit of bandits, following a tip off that bandits invaded Kuka Uku Village in Batsari and kidnapped a 16-year-old Miss Hadiza Sani.
He said the bandits abandoned the victim and fled due to the troops aggressive pursuit, adding that the rescued victim had since been reunited with her family.
According to him, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base, Bagega, also rescued another kidnapped victim, a 10-year-old girl, following an alarm by her mother that two bandits on motorcycle kidnapped the victim while they were fetching firewood around Bagega – Tudurki Forest.
He said: “The rescued has been united with her family.
According to the military spokesmen, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and their resilience and urged them not to rest on their oars but build on the successes so far achieved.
Gen. Enenche said the military high command has commended the security agencies operating in the northeast for the sustained onslaught against terrorists.
“They are further urged to remain resolute and maintain the momentum of onslaught against the enemies of our country,” he said.
Brig.-Gen. Onyeuko also said “He further assured the people of the North-West zone of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties within the zone.”
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