The Nigerian Army said its troops engaged terrorists in the North East during a Counter-terrorism operation and have successfully exterminated 6 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and rescued 48 hostages.
In a statement on its verified Facebook page on Thursday, the Nigerian Army said the troops had an encounter with the terrorists during a fighting patrol in the Fulatari and Kago villages of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The encounter led to a fierce exchange of fire, after which the overwhelmed terrorists fled the scene, abandoning their hostages.” It said
According to the statement, the quick action of the troops resulted in the liberation of the hostages, including one adult male, 20 adult females, and 27 children.
“Additionally, the troops recovered a Phantom Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, a 60mm mortar tube, a bandolier, three AK-47 rifle magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm x 51mm ammunition and a bicycle.” It said
“In a separate coordinated effort, troops, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid Forces Group, launched an offensive operation targeting terrorists’ enclaves in Garin Gulukos and Sabil Huda.
“The operation led to the seizure and depletion of the terrorists’ logistics, including a Hilux vehicle, a Canter Troops Carrying Vehicle, 7 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, 2 motorbikes, four bicycles, three solar panels, a power generating set, an HP laser jet printer and a mobile phone without a SIM card. A serviceable borehole within the terrorists’ enclave was also destroyed to disrupt their operations.” It further said
“In another operation in Zamfara State troops conducting offensive operations to clear terrorists’ enclaves in Abaniyawa, Dokau, Yar Dutsi, Kungurki and Babba Saura areas in Kaura Namoda and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State encountered the terrorists in Kaura Namoda.
However, the terrorists fled during a firefight, abandoning one AK 47 rifle, one magazine with 5 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one motorcycle. Troops further destroyed the terrorists’ life support structures.