Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised 21 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and arrested 11 suspected collaborators in separate operations across Borno State within a period of 72 hours.
The operations also led to the surrender of a member of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS).
The Military Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in separate statements at the weekend.
Goni said troops neutralised 15 terrorists in a precision airstrike northwest of Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area at about 11:50pm on October 23, following credible intelligence and confirmed sightings of terrorist movements.
“The precision strike was subsequently followed by ground operations to exploit the area and consolidate the operational gains,” he said.
In another operation, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working with Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed ISWAP/JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga LGA at about 12:37am on October 25, neutralising six terrorists.
Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
Goni said troops also arrested six suspected collaborators during a follow-up raid in Benisheikh, Kaga LGA, at about 6:20am on October 24, bringing the total arrested to 11, including five earlier apprehended.
Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, terrorist uniforms, a turban, head mask, phones and charms. The suspects are under investigation.
Meanwhile, a JAS member surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion (Main) supported by Hybrid Force at Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons camp in Gwoza LGA at about 9:20pm on October 24, after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
He surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Goni said the individual is in custody undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures, noting that the operations demonstrate sustained pressure on terrorist groups and their support networks.