Troops Neutralize Scores Of ISWAP Commanders, Fighters, In Borno
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, OPLD, have eliminated 13 top commanders and scores of fighters of Islamic States of West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists in Borno.
A statement on Friday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima said that the feat was achieved by well coordinated operations of both air and land troops, adding that several terrorists had met their waterloo in attempts to overrun Damasak and other adjoining communities in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Yerima, a senior ISWAP commander known as Bukar Fitchmeram, aka Abu Aisha, along with scores of his fighters, in a revenge mission at Damasak were obliterated in the fire power of the Nigerian troops.
Yerima added that the terrorists were neutralized while making a comeback following the killing of thier high value commanders in Mobbar LGA during a week-long air and ground operation by the Nigerian troops.
According to the statement, in well-coordinated ground bombardments and aerial strikes by the troops in various locations in the Northeast, the terrorists, who had been denied any respite or sanctuary, in a desperate move, conducted two separate attacks on Gajiram and Damasak, both of which were foiled.
“Troops’ artillery bombardment and air strikes on April 6 also resulted to the elimination of two top ISWAP leaders including Abu-Rabi and Muhammed Likita as well as scores of their troops and body guards around the axis of Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala, and Arijallamari in Abadam local government areas.
“The terrorists’ storage facilities that housed weapons used to conduct several attacks were also targeted and destroyed in the air raid by the Air Component of Operation Lafita Dole.
“On the night of Saturday, April 10, three other terrorist commanders including Ameer Umar, Abu Ubaida and Abu Salim were ambushed and killed by troops around Wulgo and Logomani axis close to Cameroon borders while attempting to attack locals and rustle their cows,” Yerima stated.
Yerima further disclosed that the devastating air strikes and artillery bombardment on the ISWAP camps had pushed the surviving elements to conduct desperate attacks, looting missions for food and drugs for their wounded colleagues.
He said that the military bombardments conducted on April 11, also eliminated scores of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists on five guntrucks in Damasak.
According to him, some of the terrorists were hit close to the perimeter fencing, while others were neutralised while attempting to loot food items in a store belonging to the UN as well as drugs and ambulance.
He added that three soldiers and some civilians lost their lives while property were burnt in the town.
Yerima assures that troops’ fighting spirit remains high in spite of the nefarious activities of some local informants who often tip the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on troops’ movements and positions.
