By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Operatives of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with a hybrid force and Civilian Joint Task Force invaded terrorists’ hideouts in Timbuktu triangle in the Lake Chad Region, eliminating three.
The operation also led to the recovery of a machine gun, a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, a gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, and a cache of arms and ammunition.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday, 1 March, 2024 by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
According to Nwachukwu, on sighting the troops, the terrorists engaged them in a fierce battle but were overpowered.
The statement read, “Nigerian Army Troops in conjunction with hybrid force and element of the Civilian Joint Task Force in an offensive operation conducted on Wednesday 28 February 2024, successfully overran Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorists’ stronghold in the Timbuktu triangle in the Lake Chad Region, recovering MRAP vehicle, gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun and a cache of arms and ammunition, after a fierce battle with the insurgents.
“During the operation, insurgents attacked own troops with vehicle borne improvised explosive device, mortar, gun trucks and motorbikes, but fell under the overwhelming superior firepower of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments and equipment in disarray.
“The operation proved to be a major setback to the insurgents, as the gallant troops neutralized three terrorists and recovered one MRAP, one gun truck, one Dushka Machine Gun, one AK 47 Rifle and one locally fabricated gun. Troops also captured one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb, 273 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Pumping machine, 65 Dushka links, 48 General Purpose Machine Gun links and three motorbikes.”
The Army image-maker also disclosed that another operation conducted in Nasarawa, troops killed one criminal and recovered dangerous weapons.
“In a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army conducted a fighting patrol to criminals’ hideouts in Katakpa Village inToto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. During the operation, troops neutralized one of the criminals and recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one Pump Action Semi-automatic rifle, three AK-47 magazines and 90 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition.
“The Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for the successful operations and charged them to remain resilient and sustain the momentum of the operations,” he said.
