Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised nine terrorists and rescued two people carrying ransoms to insurgents in Gagiram and Magumeri areas of Borno state.
The spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Uba Sani, who disclosed this on Saturday, said the terrorists were neutralised in separate operations, adding that aside from the recovery of weapons, many of the insurgents also suffered significant injuries, dispersing in disarray.
The terrorists, reportedly moving on two vehicles and 24-foot fighters, were observed setting houses ablaze and terrorising locals. Acting swiftly, troops launched an aggressive fighting patrol to intercept the threat.
Sani said that as the troops advanced towards the objective, the terrorists attempted to flee towards Damjiyakiri village.
“Vehicle-borne fighters dispersed to an unknown location, while foot fighters were pursued over a distance of approximately 92 km,” he stated.
He further explained that after about four hours of tactical pursuit, troops established contact with the fleeing terrorists who immediately launched a frontal attack. Troops however engaged the terrorists with a heavy barrage fire, resulting in the neutralisation of five terrorists, while the remaining 19 dispersed in disarray.
“Some were wounded as blood trails were observed at the contact scene,” he added.
He listed the recovered items to include 1 x AK-47 rifle (Reg. No. 06798), 5 x Magazines (3 empty, 2 loaded), 31 x 7.62mm rounds, 1 x Itel mobile phone, 1 x dagger.
Sani noted that no casualties or equipment losses were recorded by OPHK troops during the operation.
In separate operations, the spokesperson said troops mounted on motorcycles engaged Boko Haram fighters along the Gajiram–Bolori–Mile 40–Gajiganna axis near Zundur village of the state. During the firefight, four terrorists were neutralised, while others dispersed into the surrounding bush.
He said that troops also successfully rescued one Mr Modu Kinnami (55 years old) and Mr Bukar (57 years old), both from Guzamala, along with a sack containing Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N750,000).
Sani said that preliminary investigations revealed that Boko Haram fighters had demanded a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) and two new Tecno button phones for the release of the captive’s brother.
According to him, the troops recovered items including one blue pickup vehicle (Reg No: GUB 327 XA), two Tecno button phones, one jerry can containing 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a total sum of Four Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand Naira (N4,355,000).
The OPHK spokesman also disclosed that on Friday, four soldiers were killed and five others injured when Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military post in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Road in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno state.
He said further operations are ongoing on all fronts to maintain pressure on the terrorists and deny them freedom of movement.
